Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are remanded for further review, as the Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to February 2, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus and associated neuropathies, as well as his gunshot wound to the left shoulder, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to July 27, 2023. From that date forward, the issue of TDIU is moot.

The Board has determined that there were errors in the duty to assist and remands the cases for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The evidence does not establish a chronic condition in service or continuous symptomatology post-service.

The Board has restored a 90 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective May 1, 2023, as the evidence did not show actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the left knee condition, bilateral tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the lack of audiogram results from an August 2021 VA audiology evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and right ear hearing loss have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his initial compensable evaluations for deviated nasal septum and tension headaches, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left ear hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to prostate cancer and skin cancer).,The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for spondylosis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of those assigned.

The Board has identified a duty to assist error by the RO in failing to request records from both the Air Force Service Branch and his Air Force Reserve unit for the back disability claim. The Veteran should receive a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to service.,For the eosinophilic esophagitis, hypertension, and rhinitis claims, the Board has identified a duty to assist error by the RO in failing to provide the Veteran with a VA examination. The Veteran should receive a VA examination to determine if these disabilities are related to service or resulted from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with an appropriate examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a higher rating of 50% from April 27, 2019 to October 21, 2019. Other conditions have been granted service connection with effective dates ranging from January 11, 2012 to October 21, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been readjudicated due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claims for pes planus, hearing loss, back impairment, left ankle impairment, right ankle impairment, tinnitus, and left finger impairment are all being remanded for further development.,New and relevant evidence has been submitted in support of the Veteran's service connection claims for pes planus, hearing loss, back impairment, left ankle impairment, right ankle impairment, tinnitus, and left finger impairment. These claims will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied an increased rating for nyctalopia. Right ear hearing loss is related to active service, while the current disability rating for nyctalopia remains at 10 percent.