Hearing loss decisions — 2023

A 30 percent rating for GERD is granted. The claim for a higher rating for rhinitis prior to January 8, 2020 and until May 3, 2023 is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Higher ratings are granted for right knee meniscal tear/patellar chondromalacia, right thigh strain (limitation of extension), and right thigh strain (limitation of flexion). The claims for service connection regarding left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and left thigh strain are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her exposure to hazardous noise during active service.,Both tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were found to be directly related to acoustic trauma experienced while on active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the claim for an initial rating of 10 percent for hypertension is granted.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Issues regarding the left hip, right knee, and left knee disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Bilateral hearing loss claim is also remanded for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased ratings were granted. Service connection was established for right lower sciatic radiculopathy, but not for other conditions due to lack of evidence supporting exposure to toxic substances. Increased ratings were denied for right ear hearing loss, left knee anterior cruciate ligament partial tear, left knee instability, right fibula fracture (claimed as right ankle condition), and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating during the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The TDIU claim is also remanded as the VA did not provide the Veteran with necessary forms and information.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye and vision disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disabilities as established by medical evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the period on appeal, with audiometric testing showing no significant improvement in his hearing acuity. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the functional effects of his hearing impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he warrants such a rating.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded two issues: the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and the TDIU claim on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being evaluated again due to a lack of adequate examination, and his TDIU claim is being referred to determine if it meets the criteria for an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, asthma, left elbow and forearm disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) are all being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left wrist pain and right wrist pain due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss and low back pain.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating prior to August 24, 2023 for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment warranted such a rating.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent since August 24, 2023 for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment warranted such a rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete reasoning in a previous VA audiology examination, requiring an addendum opinion.