Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened to a level where he is now rated at the highest possible disability rating under the applicable VA criteria, and his claim for an increased rating from September 22, 2023, remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the record and the need for further development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim. The Veteran may still qualify for extraschedular entitlement to TDIU if his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted as the evidence is in at least approximate balance as to whether he was exposed to hazardous noise during his period of active service and has continuously experienced symptoms since then.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hearing loss in the left ear is granted. The rating for PTSD prior to June 25, 2019, and TDIU based solely on PTSD are granted. The cervical spine degenerative disc disease rating is restored from September 6, 2018. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and increased ratings for lower back disability and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active duty service. The right eye disorder claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examination in April 2021 was inadequate and remanded for a new opinion. The Veteran's claim of bilateral hearing loss is being returned to the RO for further review.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted a 40% rating, while left upper extremity radiculopathy received a 30% rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-existing duty-to-assist error. The issues are whether the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability was aggravated by service, and whether his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities clearly and unmistakably did not preexist service or were not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are associated with his in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not found to be more than a Level I impairment, which does not warrant an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and vertigo (dizzy spells) have been denied as there is no current disability of these conditions. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of either condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not related to his military service.,There was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the Veteran reported experiencing these conditions after discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the TDIU claim as his combined disability rating was at least 70%.