Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, MDD, ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, recurrent constipation, and recurrent hemorrhoids, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since March 7, 2018. The Board found the evidence at least approximately balanced and thus grants TDIU from that date.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to assess the current severity and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric condition (depression), and migraine headaches. The claims are being returned due to delays in scheduling VA examinations.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a diagnosed disability.,The Board has remanded the claims for a left ankle disability and chronic gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) as they may be related to service or secondary to other conditions.,The Veteran's GERD claim is being remanded, with an addendum opinion requested regarding whether it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected IBS and/or depressive disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise with regard to whether his diagnosed tinnitus originated in service, and grants service connection for this condition. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it must be remanded for an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 9, 2021 and as of that date was denied. The Board found no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to the date of the June 2021 examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete clarification of audiometric testing results from September 2017 and June 2018. The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss claim is being returned for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence is in approximate balance regarding these conditions, with the benefit of doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's service records will be reviewed again, as well as medical opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite, bilateral hands; bilateral hearing loss; and a back disability due to inconsistencies in audiometric results and insufficient medical opinions.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular TDIU prior to April 29, 2011, finding that his service-connected disabilities alone did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.