Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on the Veteran's reported onset during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 22, 2021. Since then, his 100% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss does not preclude a TDIU based on tinnitus alone.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertensive vascular disease. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.,The VA examinations found no direct link between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability is denied as there is no evidence of a link between the current condition and his active duty service. The claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA audiologist, and the TDIU issue is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the right ear hearing loss claim.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease due to presumed exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicides, but denied service connection for skeletal arthritis involving the bilateral shoulders, knees and back, as well as right ear hearing loss. The case is remanded for further action on the issue of erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a new medical opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation since January 9, 2012. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU under 38 CFR §4.16(a) are met from this date.

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

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), alopecia, and allergic rhinitis have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss, eye, or hip disabilities for which service connection is sought. Therefore, his claims of service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for gastrointestinal condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss of the right ear is currently rated as noncompensable, and there is no indication that it has worsened since the last rating decision.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds remand necessary to determine if his sleep apnea is related to his GERD or another condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level I in the right ear and no worse than Level III in the left ear. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran should be provided with a VA examination to determine if he currently has a TBI, and whether his other claimed disabilities are secondary to it. His current headaches may also be related to service, including his claimed head injuries and exposure to cannon and howitzer fire.,A VA examiner should provide an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and PTSD.,The Veteran's detached retina is remanded for further evaluation as a secondary condition to TBI.,The Veteran's left middle trigger/locked finger, right middle trigger/locked finger, left ring trigger finger, and right ring trigger finger are all remanded for further evaluation as secondary conditions to TBI.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further evaluation as a secondary condition to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for internal and external hemorrhoids, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and Reserve service personnel records. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded due to incomplete employment information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and heart disorder was denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted.,Service connection is denied for the following conditions: neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and heart disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and neck disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has found that the VA failed to exhaust all potential locations for the Veteran's service treatment records from October 2011 to May 2012, and thus remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and TDIU due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss requires an SSOC after additional VA examination reports were added to her file without issuance of a new SSOC. Her claim for service connection for vertigo needs a corrective opinion addressing whether it is aggravated by her service-connected bilateral hearing loss and if related to TERA exposure. The TDIU appeal must be remanded pending the development on other claims.