Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a compensable rating. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as he has maintained substantial employment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because he already receives the maximum benefits for his service-connected conditions, including S-1 SMC.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions, particularly his chronic kidney disease, contributed substantially or materially to his death from intestinal perforation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence added since the September 2019 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his combined rating is only 40% and the functional impact of his conditions does not warrant a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as he is currently employed and his combined rating is at least 70%.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 30 percent since July 22, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment and the current level of hearing acuity does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss. A new VA examination is required to address the relationship between service and the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, as well as whether his pre-existing left ear hearing loss worsened during service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss, with continuous symptoms since service, meets the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and heart disability is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The Board requests an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current heart disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service, including his tinnitus. The effective date of service connection will also be determined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inextricably intertwined issues, including inconsistencies in the onset dates of his tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos in service.,Service connection for a cardiovascular disorder is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate VA examination and a lack of private treatment records. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records, unclear evidence from a previous examination, and new pertinent records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increases in ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of VA examination records, which are necessary to determine if there is a link between his current conditions and his military service.