Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and OSA due to new evidence developed since the last SSOC.

The appeal for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is dismissed as the Veteran has already been awarded this benefit. The appeals for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The reduction in the disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to a noncompensable (0-percent) rating was improper, and the 10-percent rating is restored as of April 1, 2018.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The claims for other conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran does not have current disabilities as required by VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the medical evidence does not support a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to insufficient nexus opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric test results do not meet the specific pure tone thresholds required for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder and right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. The evidence is at least balanced as to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and granted service connection for it. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss met the criteria for a 10 percent rating starting from May 26, 2017. The effective date is set at this date as it was found to be the earliest date of increase in disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not aggravated by his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of partially missing left thumb, residuals of broken nose, and COPD are remanded due to the lack of available medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and alcohol use disorder were denied. The claim for a higher initial disability rating for PTSD and alcohol use disorder was granted with a specific rating of 70% from September 26, 2017 to July 1, 2022, but the overall initial disability rating remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction (ED), and type II diabetes mellitus (DM) are being REMANDED due to the need for further development regarding the etiology of ED and DM.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with a current numeric designation of Level III.,Service connection for right knee pain and left knee pain is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no persuasive evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinea pedis due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for tinea pedis remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability as there is no evidence of current disability recognized by VA standards.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, dental disability, hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disabilities or continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not have diagnosed conditions at any point during or after service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD and hypertension, denied service connection for various conditions including hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, low testosterone, chronic fatigue syndrome, left facial injury, Dercum's Disease, skin disability, neurological disability, and sleep disability. The claim for a 70 percent rating for PTSD was granted.