Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 18, 2006 for the grant of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual employability (TDIU) is granted. The Board also found that referral for extra-schedular consideration was warranted due to unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities prior to September 18, 2006.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities due to inadequate examination in the November 2019 rating decision. The issues are: entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, entitlement to a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss, entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for paralysis of the 10th cranial nerve, and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left shoulder paresis of the 11th cranial nerve. The remand is due to the inadequate examination that did not consider all associated symptoms.

The Board has remanded the issues of bilateral foot disability, right shoulder condition, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss for further development.,Service connection was granted for a cervical spine condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and reasoning regarding the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner did not provide a clear opinion on whether the hearing loss existed prior to service or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded his claim for service connection of degenerative eye problems.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disability in either condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a current disability and thus denying the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including DJD of the left arm and ruptured bicep tendon (left arm), residuals of a right arm fracture, accelerated cataracts, CAD, a back condition, and a neck condition. The Veteran's claims are not currently addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the asthma, left ear hearing loss, PTSD service connection, Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility, right ear hearing loss rating, and Aid and Attendance issues. The Veteran's SSA records are to be requested, and he is to undergo VA examinations to address his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued since. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of current disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to the Veteran not meeting the threshold of hearing loss required to be considered impaired for VA purposes at any time during the appeal period. The skin disability issue is remanded as it involves toxic exposure, and a VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and to obtain private treatment records. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection, but his left shoulder disability remains in dispute.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration of all submitted evidence, including VA treatment records. The AOJ should also consider whether the Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for TBI, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, anxiety, MDD, and alcohol/drug abuse), a sleep disorder (insomnia), acid reflux, and erectile dysfunction (ED).,The appellant's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection as his bilateral hearing loss does not meet VA's definition of a disability.

Service connection for herpes is denied due to lack of credible and probative evidence of exposure to herpes in service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran's audiometric test results do not meet the requirements under section 3.385 for hearing impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, right shoulder disability, right hand disability, left leg disability, sinusitis, asthma, conjunctivitis, and hypertension. The effective date of the grant of service connection for left shoulder disability was set at December 22, 2016.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, hypertension, and sinusitis. The Board has dismissed these claims as a result.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with an average puretone threshold of 39 decibels in the right ear and 51 decibels in the left ear. The Board finds that a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is not warranted.