Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, left foot disorder, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 26, 2016. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of heart disability, right elbow disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of a right-hand disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, specifically requesting additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied entitlement to a compensable initial rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of these conditions at any relevant time.,The Board also found no evidence of a continuity of symptomatology for either condition beginning during or within presumptive periods after service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the most persuasive evidence of record is against a finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred in active service or within one year of separation from active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the highest rating being Level I in both ears. The Board found that this level of hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his active service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected sinusitis is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a neck scar is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for a skin condition (including cellulitis and/or contact dermatitis) is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), to include as secondary to service-connected disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD) are granted service connection.,Left mastoid sinus disease is granted a separate rating, but not in excess of the current noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the infeasibility of VA audiological examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disability due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are currently rated as noncompensable for hearing loss and 10 percent for the right ankle.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue with assigning an effective date for a rating increase in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,However, the appeal is REMANDED for further development on several issues including right hip disability, left hip disability, skin disability, acquired psychiatric disability, bruxism, and slurred speech.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, Hodgkin's disease, and hypothyroidism due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder, knee, foot, hearing loss, and low back disabilities have been reopened. Bilateral knee and foot disabilities are granted, while the denial of bilateral shoulder disability remains unchanged.,Bilateral hearing loss and OSA claims are remanded for further evaluation.