Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent from July 12, 2019. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted prior to this date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the auditory or speech recognition thresholds to be considered a disability under VA regulations at any time during the appeal period, and therefore his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal for a total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) from March 17, 2016 to August 13, 2021 has been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his employability and functional impairment from his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and low back disability due to potential relevant SSA records not being obtained.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for a right thigh scar, service connection for hearing loss, sebaceous cyst, cold exposure residuals and a right thigh injury have been dismissed. Service connection for capillary hemangioma, right knee disorder and urinary disorder are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of a current disability meeting VA compensation criteria. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining his complete medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran underwent a VA examination in January 2020, but the examiner did not provide sufficient information on whether the current hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the cases due to procedural issues and will need to provide an SOC for the service connection claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The appeals for service connection on all issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and an inaccurate factual premise regarding the Veteran's post-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia and PTSD) and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service head injuries and vehicle accident. The claim will be reconsidered with a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral contact dermatitis of the feet and service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further consideration after additional evidence is considered.