Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act.,The Veteran's thyroid condition (claimed as a thyroid tumor) is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus, to include as due to claimed left ear hearing loss and/or Meniere's disease, is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's Meniere's disease is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active-duty service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no final decision could be made on the merits of the claims.

The Veteran is granted effective dates of September 12, 2014 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's reported balance issues and falls are related to his service-connected hearing loss or tinnitus. The VA examiner did not provide sufficient clarification on this point.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee degenerative joint disease is denied. His claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss are remanded as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to March 29, 2021, and a 30 percent evaluation thereafter under DC 6100. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral foot deformity, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence associated with his case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 29, 2022 and a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's PTSD was not addressed as it was not on appeal. He was granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service meet the requirements for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has dismissed the appeals for restoration of a 100 percent rating for prostate cancer and TDIU prior to September 23, 2014, as well as service connection for depression, anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of appeal after the Appellant withdrew her claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran was granted special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his single disability rated as 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%. The decision is effective from the date of the grant of the TDIU.

The Veteran's central nervous system lymphoma, neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas (to include pancreas removal), and renal cell cancer are all granted service connection due to exposure to radiation and toxins during active service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also granted based on evidence showing a current disability with manifestations sufficient to identify the disease entity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal by submitting an Appeals Satisfaction Notice in March 2023, indicating he wished to withdraw all remaining issues associated with this appeal. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent.,The Veteran's endometriosis does not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's Morton's neuroma is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's stage 3 kidney disease is remanded to determine its relationship to her prescribed medication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 19, 2015 has also been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot pain, back disability, hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and neurobehavioral effects related to chemical exposure. The claims for insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, migraines, right knee condition, left knee condition, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, and alcohol abuse are remanded due to the need for further examination and evidence collection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence. Specifically, VA treatment records and private treatment records from Ministry Medical Group must be obtained, as well as new examinations for his anxiety disorder, hearing loss, and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, low back disability, and bilateral shoulder disabilities have been granted. The claim to reopen service connection for a left arm disability is remanded.,Service connection has been established for hearing loss, low back disability, and bilateral shoulder disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability. The claims for tinnitus, low back condition, right knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.