Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective February 24, 2021. The effective date for the TDIU is based on his increased rating for PTSD filed on February 24, 2021.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established.,Service connection for a respiratory disability (COPD and pulmonary nodules) and a cardiac disability (valvular heart disease, bradycardia, congestive heart failure) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The claims were denied initially but were reconsidered after new evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, back disability, and knee disabilities rendered him unemployable prior to December 17, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's kidney problems (now claimed as kidney stones) were reopened due to new and material evidence, but service connection is still pending.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not develop during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. The most persuasive evidence indicates that his current hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's heart condition is not related to active service or exposure to herbicide agents.,Diabetes was not shown during service, did not develop within one year of separation from service, and is not related to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's diabetes developed more than one year after separation from service.,Arthritis is not related to active service and did not develop within one year of separation from service.,The chronic pain condition (fibromyalgia) is not related to active service and did not develop within one year of separation from service.,Left ear hearing loss was not shown during service, and the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss does not meet VA standards for a disability. The examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to an event or injury during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of bladder cancer. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient nexus opinion, and the claims for right knee condition and left knee strain are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss was denied because he failed to report for a required VA examination without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for throat tumor due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability or functional impairment after October 2011. The prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction claims are remanded for further development.,Additional research is needed regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation, particularly considering his assertions of more frequent exposure than others at the Nevada Test Site.

The Veteran was granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and there were no exceptional factors from his service-connected disabilities that precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and eczema due to potential issues with medical opinions provided in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or on account of being housebound is denied. The Board found that he does not meet the criteria for SMC at either the aid and attendance rate or the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various conditions. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of Reserve service dates and types, obtaining complete medical records, and providing opinions on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for night sweats, a back condition, bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and macular degeneration are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or onset. The Board finds the VA examination opinion inadequate due to lack of contemporaneous medical records.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, GERD, and macular degeneration are remanded as there is insufficient information to determine if these conditions are related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded due to the lack of contemporaneous medical records in service. The examiner must discuss the Veteran's MOS and duties as an auto repairman, which may have exposed him to heavy equipment fuel and fluids.,The Veteran's claim for macular degeneration is remanded as there is insufficient information to determine if this condition is related to service. The examiner must discuss the Veteran's MOS and duties as an auto repairman, which may have exposed him to heavy equipment fuel and fluids.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in February 2018, but the Board finds no new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication.,Service connection for migraines is granted. The Veteran's medical records confirm a diagnosis of migraine headaches, which he asserts began during his deployment to Southwest Asia. A private clinician opines that the Veteran's migraines are at least as likely as not related to his service exposure.,The effective date for PTSD is denied as it was received on April 24, 2019, after a Supplemental Claim was filed in June 2019. The Board finds no earlier effective date due to the timing of the claim and receipt of evidence.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted with an initial 30% rating from June 4, 2019. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating was denied in January 2020 but later increased to 50%. The Board finds no earlier effective date due to the timing of the claims and receipt of evidence.,Service connection for fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome) is remanded as new evidence has not been received since an unappealed February 2018 rating decision.,Service connection for gastrointestinal symptoms (including irritable bowel syndrome) is remanded as new evidence has not been received since an unappealed February 2018 rating decision.,Service connection for left ankle disability is remanded as new evidence has not been received since an unappealed February 2018 rating decision.,Service connection for right foot disability is remanded as new evidence has not been received since an unappealed February 2018 rating decision.,Service connection for left foot disability is remanded as new evidence has not been received since an unappealed February 2018 rating decision.