Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is denied. The appeals pertaining to the Veteran's back condition and bilateral hearing loss claims must be remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically his claim that it is related to in-service combat noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it had clinical onset following his exposure to harmful noise levels during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss have been denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction has been remanded. His claims for increased ratings for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities have also been remanded.,The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding his right ear hearing loss and thus, the case was remanded for an addendum opinion. The diabetes mellitus claim has been remanded due to a lack of recent examination. Finally, both peripheral vascular disease claims have also been remanded as new examinations are needed.,The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding his right ear hearing loss and thus, the case was remanded for an addendum opinion. The diabetes mellitus claim has been remanded due to a lack of recent examination. Finally, both peripheral vascular disease claims have also been remanded as new examinations are needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his right ring finger scar was initially rated at ten percent from July 13, 2021. Both conditions are denied.,For the period prior to July 13, 2021, the Veteran's right ring finger scar was not painful or unstable, resulting in a noncompensable rating. From July 13, 2021 onwards, it is rated at ten percent due to pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is associated with his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board partially granted the Veteran's Motion to Vacate, vacating the denial of an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 2, 2017.,The criteria for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 2, 2017 have not been met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory disability, and a right hand disability. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims for prior to August 23, 2018, were denied as his unemployability was not solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for complex sleep apnea and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's auditory acuity schedule. The Veteran's CAD remains at 60 percent disabling, with no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or limited workload resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The claim for an effective date earlier than June 26, 2014 for the increased PTSD rating is denied due to lack of factual ascertainability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for complex sleep apnea and tinnitus have been reopened due to new and material evidence. His hearing loss remains at a noncompensable rating as his pure tone thresholds do not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's auditory acuity schedule. The Veteran's CAD is rated at 60 percent disabling, with no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or limited workload resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The claim for an effective date earlier than June 26, 2014 for the increased PTSD rating is denied due to lack of factual ascertainability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical records, as well as to provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that his current right ear hearing loss did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to service. The preexisting left ear hearing loss was also found not to be aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA audiometric examination. The Veteran should be scheduled for an additional VA examination on remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. The effective date remains July 21, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent disabling, and the Board has denied an initial compensable rating for this disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation from January 1, 1996 to May 16, 2006.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA audiological evaluation, specifically addressing the recent military noise-induced hearing loss study submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as further development of Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to ongoing issues with evidence development, including obtaining SSA records.