Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of residuals of a left big toe fracture. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted and others not.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety, was granted service connection. Left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction were also granted. However, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee flexion limitation, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and hypertension are denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus is not met.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hearing loss claim should be remanded for further examination and medical opinion due to incomplete documentation in his service treatment records.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, previously rated as PTSD, is granted a rating of 70 percent effective August 28, 2017. Effective that date, the Veteran is also granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of hearing evaluation results, which may be relevant in determining whether a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, requiring a more recent VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service. The claim will be reopened, but a new medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. Service connection for hepatitis A, stomach ulcer associated with hepatitis A, pancreatitis associated with hepatitis A, and gastritis associated with hepatitis A are denied.

The Board has remanded three issues: a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 12, 2017 and in excess of 10 percent therefrom; a rating in excess of 50 percent for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD); and the SMC at the housebound rate. The remand requests obtaining missing VA audiogram results and scheduling a new VA examination for MDD.

The Veteran's appeal regarding chronic rhinosinusitis and right ear hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for pilocytic astrocytoma brain tumor is granted, but the case is remanded to determine appropriate disability ratings for left and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted, with the evidence showing he has not been gainfully employed since February 10, 2017. The combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, meeting the criteria for schedular consideration of a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss have been denied. The appeal for initial compensable disability rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss has also been denied. The appeals for service connection for bilateral shin splints, right hand disability, and left hand disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, pseudophakia, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to maintain regular, substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes, hypertension (secondary to diabetes), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to diabetes and hypertension).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder is dismissed. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and the TDIU prior to May 12, 2016 are denied.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue for development and adjudication, as it is part of the underlying service connection claim. The case will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's unemployability primarily due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder from April 17, 2018, through August 23, 2019.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims for various disabilities, including heart disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, stroke, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, kidney disease, left knee disability, liver disease, neck disability, radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities, skin disability with trophic changes, and tinnitus. The claims are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and VA examinations.

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and essential tremors.

The Board has remanded two issues: whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic fracture deformity, fourth metatarsal, right foot. The case is being remanded due to potential missing VA treatment records and inadequate VA examination.