Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's fatty liver disease, GERD, respiratory disorder (COPD and pulmonary nodules), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD are not service-connected.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis is remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU prior to July 11, 2015, is denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left knee condition, and bilateral pes planus have been reopened. The appeal regarding TDIU is dismissed. The appeals for service connection are remanded due to new and material evidence having been submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD has been granted, with the effective date being October 23, 2015. The Veteran also received service connection for sleep apnea and his right ear hearing loss was granted on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for chronic thoracolumbar strain was denied as there is no evidence of a prior informal claim before August 31, 2017.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted based on in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is granted, with a current diagnosis and evidence of in-service exposure to Southwest Asia.,Service connection for a chronic respiratory disability other than chronic sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis is denied due to lack of current disability.,The appeal seeking service connection for allergies is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for hearing loss and right ankle disability was dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The right ankle disability claim has been granted, but as it is a complete grant, it is no longer before the Board.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss, spine disorder, shoulder injury, CTS, and ear hearing loss are related to service. The VA is also instructed to clarify the dates of INACDUTRA.

The Board has found the VA examiner's opinions inadequate and remanded for new etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The claims are related as they both involve noise exposure in service.

The Board has decided that a VA audiological examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has diagnosed hearing loss for VA rating purposes and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the November 2018 VA examination, lack of consideration of relevant lay evidence, and potential outstanding VA treatment records.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to January 11, 2020 and 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran's IBS has not been found to meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing hearing acuity of no worse than Level I in both ears. The Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The initial rating for coronary artery disease with angina remains at 30 percent, and the claims for right and left iliotibial band syndrome are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress (claimed as depression and anxiety), left knee disability, and low back disability due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hearing loss, and initial ratings higher than 20 percent for cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and insomnia have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating of 50 percent, but no higher, for his service-connected insomnia has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for a back disability and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA records and medical examinations.