Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CVA has been reopened and granted due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the Veteran's CVA is proximately due to hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and right elbow disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 15, 2018; rather his nonservice-connected disabilities contributed to his unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinion and new evidence not being considered. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure are also noted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of records, particularly regarding the nature and etiology of non-lupus ear disabilities. The Veteran's service-connected lupus is not considered in determining whether his current ear disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cough-variant asthma, thoracolumbar scoliosis, left shoulder tendinitis with clavicle fracture, tinnitus, right and left carpal tunnel syndromes, residuals of otitis media, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, are rated at 70 percent combined from December 2, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these disabilities, but the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, neurocognitive disorder, and erectile dysfunction remain unresolved.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted with a 40% rating from August 12, 2021 to the present. The Veteran's right knee instability from February 23, 2016 to May 23, 2017 is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a laceration on the 4th digit of the left hand, chronic sinusitis, headaches, and dizziness. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service-connected bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for skin cancer, which is presumed due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals like tetrahydro fluorine.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the earliest legal effective date is August 31, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to active service and the claim for service connection has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 9, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in ratings beyond the current 20% and 40% assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss disability and right thumb disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and neck pain condition. The appeals for initial compensable ratings for right and left knee Osgood-Schlatter disease, degenerative disc disorder (DDD)/back pain, photophobia, visual floaters, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and headaches are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by his active military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing that his current hearing loss began during service or was related to in-service noise exposure.,However, the Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for hallux valgus associated with bilateral pes planus was granted.,Service connection on any basis may only be granted for a current disability. There is no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, thus service connection is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss has not resulted in a compensable disability rating from November 1, 2019.