Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The issue of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a link to service.,Service connection for lower back disability is denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no in-service injury or condition.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for Barrett's esophagus condition, breathing condition, and migraine condition are remanded due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the audiometric testing revealed Level III hearing acuity in the right ear and Level II hearing acuity in the left ear, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that his current hearing loss began in service and has continued since then.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and right knee strain with traumatic arthritis associated with residuals of right ankle fracture, make it unlikely that he is able to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 30, 2020. As of that date, the Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia), headaches, traumatic brain injury, obstructive sleep apnea, knee disorders, foot disorders, ankle disorders, elbow disorders, shoulder disorders, hip disorders, hand disorders, wrist disorders, lumbar spine disorders, shin disorders, cold injury disorders, upper extremity cold injury disorders. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis for these conditions during service or within one year of discharge and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his active duty service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not rated as compensable, with an average puretone threshold of 61.25 decibels and a word recognition score of 98 percent.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The denial of hearing loss is due to the lack of a current disability meeting VA criteria, while tinnitus was found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, including tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 27, 2022. As of that date, his combined disability rating reached 100 percent due to additional service-connected conditions, making the TDIU issue moot.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's combat service is considered, but no relationship between current disabilities and military service could be established.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. An initial 10 percent evaluation, but no higher, for hypertension is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and acid reflux due to a lack of evidence.