Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since the beginning of his claim, and he has a 100% combined rating for COPD and other service-connected disabilities. His bilateral hearing loss and CAD are both rated below their maximum possible ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and in-service noise exposure, occupational noise exposure, and meningitis. The case will be returned for a new VA medical opinion.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected sensorineural left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating. The right ear hearing loss claim is pending as it has not been developed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was granted. However, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted. However, the claim for service connection for vertigo, to include as secondary to hearing loss and/or tinnitus, was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right eye disorder is being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection in multiple conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right eye macular degeneration, right knee disorder, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The earliest effective date assigned was January 14, 2014.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its July 2020 remand directives, necessitating another remand for further development of the TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU, but his unemployability due to PTSD warrants extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The case for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of current authorization forms for private audiologist records, and the need to determine if the Maryland CNC speech test was conducted during any examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, left foot disorder, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 26, 2016. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of heart disability, right elbow disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of a right-hand disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, specifically requesting additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied entitlement to a compensable initial rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of these conditions at any relevant time.,The Board also found no evidence of a continuity of symptomatology for either condition beginning during or within presumptive periods after service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the most persuasive evidence of record is against a finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred in active service or within one year of separation from active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.