Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss existed prior to service and if it was aggravated by service. The case will be sent back for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and evaluations for various disabilities. The Veteran's claim for type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure was denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or within one year thereafter. Other disability claims are also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 22, 2021 is denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to this date remains before the Board and has been REMANDED.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and granting him a grant of benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at Level I in both ears, resulting in a zero percent evaluation.,For PTSD, the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent as they were considered to cause reduced reliability and productivity but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches and a left knee disability, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from April 1, 2011, to January 19, 2012. The Board granted TDIU during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant an initial compensable rating, as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The case is remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30% prior to July 13, 2022, and 50% thereafter. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's left index finger disability, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, lumbar myositis, and left knee patellar tendonitis (post-AACL repair) are all remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the tinnitus issue has been withdrawn. The hearing loss issue is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and a new VA examination. The case will be remanded to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for heart disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and missed VA examinations. The appeals are related to service connection, TDIU, and a rating for respiratory bronchiolitis.

The Board denied a compensable initial disability rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that the current assigned evaluation is appropriate based on the audiology studies of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, including noise exposure during active duty. The evidence does not show continuous or recurrent symptoms of hearing loss during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted, while his claim for a bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded for further development.