Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a respiratory condition, including COPD. The Veteran's claim for COPD is remanded due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not show current hearing impairment as defined by VA standards.

The Board denied the requests for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for Meniere's syndrome with hearing loss and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, as there was no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year period prior to the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined evaluation of 90 percent, which meets the criteria for TDIU from November 15, 2022 onwards.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent prior to July 17, 2020 and increased to 80 percent from July 17, 2020 to July 2, 2021.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for VA examinations and medical nexus opinions, including those related to sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica), residuals of a shoulder injury, and migraine headaches. The claims are being returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for the period prior to January 17, 2017, and 20 percent disabling from that date. The Board finds a remand necessary due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. Service connection is established for sinusitis, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with IVDS, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss. The initial 40 percent rating for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with IVDS is maintained, as are the initial 40 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathies effective April 8, 2022. Tinnitus remains at a maximum of 10 percent. Service connection has been reopened for left foot disability, right foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disorder is granted, and his PTSD is granted with a disability rating of 50 percent prior to June 2016 and 70 percent thereafter. The initial ratings for shin fractures and bilateral hearing loss are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's National Guard service and noise exposure claims for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, iron deficiency anemia, bilateral hearing loss disability, and endometrial polyp disability due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for updated medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss as there is no evidence that it began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The most probative evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The RO is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service connected, but his initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating prior to April 18, 2019, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted, and a 100% disability rating is assigned effective from May 3, 2018. Claims for other conditions remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, eczema, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and alcohol use disorder) due to inadequate medical opinions and missing military personnel records.