Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) is denied due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or being related to service.,Acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not granted as the evidence does not support a link between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected loss of teeth due to trauma is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted.,The Board found that the Veteran had an in-service injury related to acoustic noise exposure, which resulted in current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, which has been rated at 100 percent since January 3, 2023, is the highest possible rating under VA regulations. The decision grants a 100 percent rating for his disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (unspecified depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right wrist condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus) rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU award. For his sleep apnea claim, the Board has determined that a remand for further examination and opinion is necessary.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of adequate medical opinion.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not warrant such a rating based on VA examination results and the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Service connection is also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, likely PTSD, as the Veteran's statements regarding onset are inconsistent with medical records.

The Veteran's left fifth finger disability is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Prior to June 17, 2019, the Veteran's right and left foot plantar fasciitis were each rated at 10 percent. From June 17, 2019 onwards, they are combined into a single rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with bilateral fasciitis and degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's cataracts have been denied as there is no evidence of visual acuity impairment that meets VA criteria for hearing loss disability.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss has not been established.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability because no new and material evidence was submitted, despite the Veteran providing additional contentions about his in-service noise exposure. The Board found that the evidence did not show a causal link between the current disability and active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic periodontal disease, tinnitus, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are all denied. The claim for left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is pending as it was not granted prior to February 23, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of more than noncompensable disability.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for colon cancer due to in-service herbicide exposure, and the TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 16, 2019. As a result, the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to July 2, 2014. The Board found that the evidence does not demonstrate he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are granted. The acquired psychiatric condition claim is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation at any time during the appeal period.,For his service-connected conditions, including bilateral pes planus, left ankle disability, low back disability, and right shoulder disability, the Board has remanded these issues to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus. The claims are being returned for further development.