Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not rated as compensable, with a noncompensable (0%) rating.,There is no current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes. The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration. The first issue is the readjudication of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, while the second issue is the determination of whether esophageal cancer is related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn them.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it began during his military service.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded all other claims due to incomplete or insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and that any potential link to in-service head or ear injuries does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left flank scar and left ear hearing loss, as well as service connection for hypertension. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of hypertension and that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, tinnitus, headaches, allergic rhinitis, and OSA are all granted.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss due to the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, metastatic right tongue base cancer with squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck, respiratory disorder, sinus disability, loss of taste, paralyzed vocal chords/throat stricture, tooth loss, and dry mouth due to inadequate VA medical opinions.,The claims are also remanded for a new opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, increased ratings, and TDIU were dismissed due to the failure to submit a timely VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's asthma has not resulted in the required symptoms for a compensable rating.,His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher than 40 percent rating.,There is no evidence of hepatitis C or any related condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a 20 percent evaluation effective May 31, 2023. The claim for allergic rhinitis remained denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) claim is also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for reopening their claims of service connection for periodontal disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, left index finger disability, eye disability (flash burn in eyes), low back disability, and right shoulder disability are all denied. The AOJ is directed to provide VA examinations or obtain additional medical opinions regarding these claims.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a left index finger disability remains pending as the AOJ has not provided a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to incomplete medical records, need for a new VA examination, and issues related to the relationship between his service-connected conditions.