Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss or service connection for right wrist tendinitis, as her conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since June 5, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence supports a nexus between these conditions and active service exposure to noise. The combat presumption is applied in this case.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) or a special home adaptation (SHA) grant due to lack of relevant disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his education and skills allow for many types of employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as the requirement for such is attributed to non-service-connected back pain. As a result, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability has been granted. The remaining issues on appeal, including those related to bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus with atrial fibrillation and erectile dysfunction, lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, SMC based on the loss of use of a creative organ, and TDIU prior to February 24, 2021, are remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions alone.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and low back strain due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability. The claims for right foot, left shoulder, lower back, and left foot conditions are remanded as there is insufficient evaluation in the record.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied because new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, while the claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, recurrent hemorrhoids, a recurrent bilateral eye disability (glaucoma and cataracts), a recurrent disability manifested by hair loss, a dental disability (rotten teeth), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, a recurrent lower extremity disability (tendinitis), and bilateral hearing loss. These claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination and unclear opinions regarding pre-service conditions, aggravation by service, and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma, while his left ear does not meet the criteria for a current disability.

The Veteran was denied clothing allowances in 2013, but testified at a hearing that he needed them for specific disabilities. The Board finds the matter remanded to issue an SSOC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer (due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune), erectile dysfunction, and overactive bladder. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of current evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and stomach ulcer.

The Board has remanded several service connection and rating issues due to the Veteran not responding to a request for waiver of AOJ consideration of new evidence.