Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential inextricably intertwined issues, including a lack of noise exposure assessment. The Veteran's VA treatment records from 1978 onwards must be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to May 21, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support his claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied due to lack of in-service noise exposure, the absence of a current diagnosis, and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current state of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered after this.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection are remanded due to insufficient information on which to decide the claims. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and cause of his sleep disabilities, low back disabilities, body aches (including fibromyalgia), and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea. However, these claims are remanded as further medical opinions are needed to address their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities in determining his need for aid and attendance. The case is now pending with instructions for a new medical opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, Type II, and left ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.,Additional evidence received since the December 2003 rating decision includes lay statements and a September 2022 Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination report. The C&P examiner diagnosed the Veteran with alcohol use disorder in full sustained remission, stimulant use disorder (cocaine) in sustained remission, and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of February 9, 2012 for the assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss disability arose during service or is otherwise related to service, including as due to noise exposure from howitzer and artillery gun fire.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a sleep disorder, left ear hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, GAD, MDD) due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since January 14, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for respiratory disorder, heart disorder, and right ear hearing loss due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for these conditions based on asbestos exposure, noise exposure, or as aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the July 2019 remand directives and thus, the Veteran's claim must be remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and has remanded the issues of evaluating the Veteran's left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain and right ankle degenerative changes.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right rib disorder, left elbow skin disorder, and external canal occlusion as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss claim should be remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if he currently has hearing loss and whether it is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of hearing loss due to potential aggravation by diabetes mellitus.

The appeal regarding entitlement to a higher rating for TBI is dismissed. A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The remaining issues are remanded.