Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education, skills, training, and work history.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his bilateral hearing loss is manifested by no worse than Level II hearing in the right and left ears.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with DDD was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence linking bowel incontinence to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as Level III in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board denied a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing disability is related to noise exposure during active duty.,Service connection was denied for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), as there is no credible evidence showing a TBI occurred during active duty or qualifying ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot, low back, and left knee conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and an inadequate medical examination. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has determined that the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits for training days in FY 2010, FY 2009, and FY 2008 was proper due to concurrent receipt of military pay. The appeals are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 90 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for additional medical research articles related to bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with these new documents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability, service connection for rheumatism, and service connection for avitaminosis with easy fatigability and body weakness have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for hearing loss service connection due to lack of evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to June 13, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear disability and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of a current ear disability or one related to active duty, and his bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for hyperacusis associated with bilateral hearing loss and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claims of service connection for asthma and cervical spine disability have been remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes, bilateral hearing loss, right knee instability, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are being remanded for further review due to new evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right eye disability, headache disability, and hearing loss disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cysts on hands, and a right leg disability (claimed as a right leg ligament condition) due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that there was no in-service occurrence or relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied service connection for lupus and granted a non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the issue of remanding it to obtain additional development remains unresolved.