Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current condition is directly related to his military service and noise exposure.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from October 27, 2016 to November 16, 2021. The appeal is REMANDED for further action on the issues of entitlement to increased ratings and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 30 percent for his bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational or social impairment, which is required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted as service connection. The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance, and resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with muscle spasms, cervical spine, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and left lower extremity varicose veins are all granted. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for ratings and effective dates have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Veteran's appeal for retroactive pay for the period from March 3, 2022, to September 30, 2022 is denied as he has already received the proper disability compensation amounts.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and his initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to increase this rating. The issues of PTSD with depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder, hypertension, degenerative disc disease with sciatica, TDIU prior to May 28, 2010, and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss from July 28, 2021, to March 7, 2023, and in excess of 70 percent from March 7, 2023, has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is secondary to his service-connected left ear hearing loss. The initial compensable rating claim for left ear hearing loss is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the presence, severity, and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the effective date being December 29, 2017. The decision also remanded several other issues.