Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for scar, right wrist residuals of right carpal tunnel release was granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, left knee disability, and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are granted, with a 40% rating for the hearing loss. The hypertension is not compensable.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for Canadian Crutches in 2020 is being remanded due to insufficient explanation of the denial and conflicting evidence regarding use for a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation.,PTSD has been assigned an initial evaluation of 70 percent, which is not in excess of what is warranted. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss from November 30, 2018 to October 14, 2019 was denied. From October 15, 2019 to July 6, 2020, the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for BHL was also denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and an adjustment disorder, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, hernia condition, right ankle and leg disabilities, sinusitis, cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, chronic heart disease, chronic heart failure, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The appeals were all denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's hearing loss was denied increased ratings prior to April 20, 2018 and from April 20, 2018 onwards. The left knee issues were also denied increased ratings.,TDIU was dismissed as the matter had been granted in full in a previous rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for vertigo and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, depression, depressive disorder with pure dysthymic syndrome and severe anxious distress), and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate evidence or need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to obtain private medical records. The Veteran's back disability is being evaluated again, and his bilateral hearing loss is also under review.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records related to the Veteran's right shoulder, right foot, right wrist, right knee, back, and hearing loss disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that his current diagnosis was not due to his active-duty service and did not manifest within one year of his discharge from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral knee condition (to include arthritis), bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric condition due to a lack of service records and incomplete information regarding the Veteran's reported stressor.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to such a rating.

The Veteran's increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 1, 2022 are denied. Ratings of 30 percent from September 1, 2022 to June 14, 2023 and 20 percent from June 15, 2023 are also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability that began during service or is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, right knee arthritis, tinnitus, and hearing loss of the right ear. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim for service connection for a heart disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.