Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The case for GERD secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted service connection. The claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle strain, and tension headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to March 14, 2016. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50% effective January 13, 2022, and 10% prior to that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left carpel tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no current disability of these conditions for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for his TMJ disorder.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, as the Veteran's exposure to herbicides is presumed and he has developed hypertension. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that reasonable doubt must be resolved in his favor. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and a neck disability due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and bilateral cataracts, a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to TDIU. These matters are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and development of evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's TBI disability and its impact on his hearing loss and dizziness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not start during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The issue of service connection for a throat condition, including as due to radium treatment during service, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The appeals for service connection for hypothermia, hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and PTSD have been dismissed.,Service connection has been reopened for right foot cold injury, left foot cold injury, right hand cold injury, and left hand cold injury.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including clarification on when he last worked full-time and new examinations focused on his hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis of the right and left upper extremities, as well as left ear hearing loss due to concerns about the adequacy of the VA examination opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is based on a lack of evidence showing that the condition began during service or was related to an in-service injury, while the tinnitus claim is dismissed as there was no new claim submitted after the June 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating exceeding 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer and residuals thereof, as well as his claim for service connection for a back disability, are granted.

The rating reduction of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and therefore, the 30 percent rating is restored.,From March 6, 2018, the criteria for an initial rating of 100 percent for aortic aneurysm associated with high cholesterol have been met.,From March 6, 2018, the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran is entitled to an effective date prior to September 14, 2021 for a 100 percent rating for his heart disability due to service connection being granted within one year of the initial grant of service connection.,An earlier effective date of March 6, 2018 for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is granted.