Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's LLER was granted a 40 percent rating as of September 12, 2020. Prior to this date, the claim for an increased rating was denied.,A 60 percent rating for asthma was granted as of September 12, 2020. The Veteran's BHL is assigned a non-compensable rating.

The Board denied a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the severity of the disabilities as defined by VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2; achalasia; high blood pressure; bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; and vision disability were all denied as they are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left thumb tendonitis, as well as the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension was denied in a previous decision, and no new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for COPD is denied as there is no link between the condition and service.

The appeal as to the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The appeal as to the claim of entitlement to service connection for actinic keratosis of the forehead is dismissed.

The Veteran was granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, left lower extremity neuropathy as a residual of cold injury, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease. The initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from January 12, 2007 to October 2011 was denied.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected due to in-service prostatitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to an improper filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss and right knee/lumbar/cervical spine disabilities were denied. The cases for the right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine are remanded.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as it is presumed to have been incurred in service due to acoustic trauma.,Service connection for low back degenerative arthritis is granted as the condition began during active service and has been continuous since separation.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or post-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records that are needed for a fully informed decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service due to noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for loss of taste, loss of smell, and chronic constipation. Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss, allergies, lactase deficiency syndrome, and onychomycosis.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since May 18, 2022. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service, while the claim for tinnitus is granted due to equipoise of evidence supporting its onset during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of chronic in-service symptoms or continuous post-service symptoms, and the current disabilities are not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, gynecological conditions (infertility and miscarriages), gastrointestinal conditions, left knee condition, chronic fatigue, thyroid condition, and skin conditions have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted. The back, left knee, and tinnitus service connection claims are remanded for additional development.