Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted under the PACT Act, but effective dates prior to August 10, 2022 will be remanded due to potential other theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been resolved in full with a grant of benefits. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and military service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected psychiatric disability and multiple other disabilities rated at least 60 percent combined.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss rating was restored from noncompensable to 40 percent effective September 8, 2022. Her right hip and left hip conditions were denied compensable ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for pharynx (upper trachea) squamous cell carcinoma due to lack of medical opinion regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and congestive heart failure due to the appellant's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds it does not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds it does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable due to the audiometric test results showing no worse than Level IV in the right ear and Level II in the left ear. The Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.,Service connection for GERD, hiatal hernia, and skin condition (eczema) to include chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to incomplete or inadequate opinions in the current VA examinations.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hearing loss and tinnitus, GERD, and his right foot and ankle injury. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records, undergo medical examinations for his hearing loss and tinnitus, GERD, and right foot and ankle injury, and complete a TDIU application form.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and a higher rating for low back disability is denied.,Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and right hand, as well as a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss are also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing medical and personnel records, including the Veteran's separation examination. A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine the current nature and severity of her bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for plantar fasciitis of the right foot and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to a lack of medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing loss to his active duty service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The maximum schedular rating of 60 percent for psoriasis is granted from August 22, 2017.,The Veteran's service-connected psoriasis has been rated at the highest possible level (60%) since August 22, 2017.