Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities for the period from September 27, 2012 to December 28, 2015 and for the period from December 29, 2015 to present.

The Board has denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, OSA, and liver cancer due to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his current back condition had its onset during active duty or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.,For the period prior to March 2, 2021, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent (Level VII for the left ear and Level III for the right ear).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and dismissed the claim for TDIU as moot due to the Veteran's combined schedular rating of 100%.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 5, 2021 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. Additional development is needed as there are outstanding VA treatment records that have not been obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for right maxillary sinusitis secondary to fracture zygoma are denied as the earliest effective date is August 1, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 2, 2018, for the increased evaluation of 50 percent for service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for status-post left maxillary sinusotomy with headaches and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development and readjudication due to outstanding VA treatment records, Social Security Administration disability benefit records, and a need for an examination to determine the etiology of his left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ear hearing loss as there is no credible medical or lay evidence showing a diagnosis of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results.,Service connection for residuals of malaria, numbness, tingling and weakness throughout body (claimed as due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune), prostate disability, colon polyps, and hypertension were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy at the sciatic nerve is rated as 20 percent disabling, effective October 27, 2020.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy at the sciatic nerve is also rated as 20 percent disabling, effective October 27, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for several service connection and increased rating claims due to a withdrawal by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.