Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes has been granted. The case is remanded for further development and rating actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post-phlebitic syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. Specifically, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded as there are no opinions provided regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore, the claim is denied.,For the remaining claims, the Board finds insufficient evidence to determine whether any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to medication prescribed for his service-connected migraines and tinnitus, while the other conditions are not shown in service or for many years thereafter and are otherwise unrelated to his active-duty service.

The Board has granted a TDIU from March 3, 2015 to June 6, 2022. The claim for an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia is remanded due to the lack of range of motion testing.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as she does not have a current disability that meets the criteria for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as her current diagnosis of tinnitus began during service and has continued to the present.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of right ear hearing loss due to new and material evidence submitted, including her testimony and a medical examination. The Board also granted service connection for right ear hearing loss as it is presumed incurred during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is pending and will be reconsidered after obtaining additional evidence and an updated medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to September 13, 2019, and in excess of 50 percent after that date has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to hazardous noise during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating determinations due to a lack of VA examiners' CVs, as well as scheduling issues with previous examinations. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of in-service noise exposure and no established continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Board also denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current mental health condition is not related to her active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating from May 7, 2014.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and right great toe disability. The cases are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence after the issuance of the Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a peptic ulcer due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of new VA treatment records, including audiograms and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a bilateral foot disability are being reconsidered.