Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum available rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset in and are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection is granted for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides and/or disabilities. Service connection is also granted for GERD, migraine headaches, TBI, neck disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis. Therefore, entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for a new examination to assess the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The decision is based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Service connection is also remanded for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and some other conditions due to lack of evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities, and the medical records did not support a secondary service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected alcohol/multisubstance abuse is granted as secondary to his PTSD. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied, while the Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50% rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 3, 2020 was denied. From April 3, 2020, the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss due to a lack of adequate medical opinions, missing audiogram records, and outstanding VA medical records. The Veteran is also requested to provide Social Security Administration disability records.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The issues of rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease with atrial fibrillation is rated at 60 percent, effective February 11, 2023. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection and exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's hearing loss is not compensably rated, and his neurological disorders are being reviewed for possible service connection.