Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has restored a 90 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective May 1, 2023, as the evidence did not show actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the left knee condition, bilateral tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the lack of audiogram results from an August 2021 VA audiology evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and right ear hearing loss have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his initial compensable evaluations for deviated nasal septum and tension headaches, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left ear hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to prostate cancer and skin cancer).,The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for spondylosis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of those assigned.

The Board has identified a duty to assist error by the RO in failing to request records from both the Air Force Service Branch and his Air Force Reserve unit for the back disability claim. The Veteran should receive a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to service.,For the eosinophilic esophagitis, hypertension, and rhinitis claims, the Board has identified a duty to assist error by the RO in failing to provide the Veteran with a VA examination. The Veteran should receive a VA examination to determine if these disabilities are related to service or resulted from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with an appropriate examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a higher rating of 50% from April 27, 2019 to October 21, 2019. Other conditions have been granted service connection with effective dates ranging from January 11, 2012 to October 21, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been readjudicated due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claims for pes planus, hearing loss, back impairment, left ankle impairment, right ankle impairment, tinnitus, and left finger impairment are all being remanded for further development.,New and relevant evidence has been submitted in support of the Veteran's service connection claims for pes planus, hearing loss, back impairment, left ankle impairment, right ankle impairment, tinnitus, and left finger impairment. These claims will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied an increased rating for nyctalopia. Right ear hearing loss is related to active service, while the current disability rating for nyctalopia remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the condition. The Veteran's extensive reserve service is noted, but an addendum opinion is needed to consider this factor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service and concluding that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ED, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a penile deformity or other qualifying condition to warrant a compensable rating for ED. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a greater than 10 percent rating from January 27, 2022 to April 9, 2022 and was denied a compensable rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a duodenal ulcer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.,The appeal for service connection for pulmonary embolus is remanded.,The appeal for service connection for deep vein thrombosis and venous embolism and thrombosis of the right lower extremity is remanded.,The appeal for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is remanded.,The appeal for service connection for a disability of the right knee is remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a TBI, with residuals are both remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The appeal for an earlier effective date prior to September 11, 2013 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,New and material evidence has not been received sufficient to reopen the claim for Parkinson's Disease.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for a heart condition. Service connection is granted pursuant to the PACT Act.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.