Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development due to unclear audiometric standards used during service, potential jet fuel exposure, and lay statements relating these conditions to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while the issue of left ear hearing loss remains remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability or a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disability, left foot disability, bronchial asthma, and COPD due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran is required to provide his Naval Reserve duty dates and must undergo VA examinations for his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs to undergo another VA audiological examination for his hearing loss and a new VA examination for his PTSD. Additionally, the RO must obtain any outstanding treatment records and verify the Veteran's employment history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and a psychiatric disability are all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or causation to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye condition other than refractive errors of the eyes and a right ear hearing loss disability have been denied as there is no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA audiology testing reports from September 2019 and October 2020. A new etiological opinion is needed based on a review of all available records.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure and the Veteran did not report experiencing hearing problems during or after service. The post-service diagnosis of hearing loss was noted years after discharge, and there is no medical evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating, and referral to the VA Compensation Service Director for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating is not warranted.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, but granted service connection with a 10% rating for bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus and erectile dysfunction are granted service connection. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, left ear hearing loss, and prostate cancer claims are denied due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete documentation regarding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The Veteran may receive SSDI for one or more conditions, but the specific condition(s) is/are unclear.

The reduction of the evaluation for the Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion was restored to a 10 percent rating.,The petition to reopen a claim for service connection for glaucoma is denied. The evidence does not show that there was actual improvement in the Veteran's left knee flexion at the time of the reduction, and the additional evidence received since the August 2007 rating decision is cumulative or redundant.,Service connection for a heart disorder is denied. The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had a heart disorder as chronic in service or within an applicable presumption period.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The evidence of record does not show that the Veteran has had hearing loss at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for a corneal abrasion of the eye is denied. The evidence of record does not show that the Veteran has had an eye disorder characterized by an abrasion (eye abrasion) at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim that caused a functional impairment in earning capacity.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded. The evidence of record does not show that the Veteran has had OSA at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for an allergy disorder is remanded. The evidence of record does not show that the Veteran has had an allergy disorder at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has vacated the August 2022 decision denying an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to February 13, 2020 due to insufficient time allowed after a previous extension of time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during service and continued since then, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and active service. The Board noted that the Veteran did not meet the requirements for hearing loss disability for VA purposes in either ear and found insufficient evidence to establish a direct or presumptive link between his in-service noise exposure and his current conditions.

The Veteran's heart condition, including CAD, is rated at 60 percent for the entire initial rating period.,Effective from March 6, 2013, the Veteran receives a 60 percent rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD).