Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, as they are not rated at 60% or more combined with other disabilities. The Board found that he can still secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a left knee disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability.,A VA examination is needed to determine the likely etiology of the claimed left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right ear hearing loss, and back condition have been granted service connection. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others remain pending.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, and radicular disorder of the bilateral lower extremities (sciatica) as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's right and left knee instability ratings have been restored to 10 percent effective November 1, 2019.,The reduction in the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable was proper. The appeal for restoration of a 10 percent rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, degenerative arthritis of the left and right ankles, as well as right and left knee disabilities have all been denied. The evidence does not support a compensable evaluation for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability began during service or is related to his service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending with new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began in service and have continued since.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service due to noise exposure from being a jet pilot.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is etiologically related to his active service due to exposure to hazardous noise.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as Level I, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's left elbow skin graft scar was awarded an effective date of January 1, 1969. The right hip chondrocalcinosis (impaired extension) and bilateral hearing loss ratings were denied earlier than March 3, 2022. The PTSD rating remains at the maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have been continuous since then. The decision is based on direct service connection due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition is related to his active-duty service and continuing symptomatology since separation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss. The VA examiner did not address the shift in the Veteran's hearing from his separation examinations and did not consider the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service. The Board noted that while the Veteran served in Vietnam and was exposed to noise during service, his current hearing loss did not manifest within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise causally related to an in-service event or disease.