Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder strain with glenohumeral joint instability were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service. The claim will be reconsidered based on additional information and analysis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 19, 2019. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted. The Board found that the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his combat experiences in Vietnam, bilateral hearing loss preexisting service but aggravated by noise exposure during service, and tinnitus likely due to his hearing loss.

The Veteran's right little finger disability is granted, but not with a compensable rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with a depressive disorder, residuals of bladder cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unemployable since October 21, 2019. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment from March 28, 2012, to May 6, 2021. The Board granted the claim for TDIU during this period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and tinnitus. The cases are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed all remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The respiratory and stomach conditions, as well as bilateral hearing loss, are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, tinnitus, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, have precluded him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of hearing loss and the evidence did not support a finding that his hearing loss began during or is related to service.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis was granted based on presumed exposure to burn pits in Southwest Asia, as part of the PACT Act.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, prostate enlargement, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,There is no credible evidence showing that the Veteran had any hearing loss or prostate issues during his active duty. The earliest documented hearing loss was more than 50 years after separation from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals to reopen his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus because no new and relevant evidence was presented since the July 2019 rating decision.

The Board has found that the Veteran currently meets the criteria for left ear hearing loss and OSA disabilities, but there are errors in the audiometric testing and VA examination records. The claims are being remanded to correct these issues.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the (k) rate due to loss of use of hands and feet was denied as he does not have loss of use of a hand or foot such that he has no effective function remaining other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump with prosthesis.