Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent from March 17, 2022. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's authorized representative.,Service connection has not been granted for a low back condition or migraine headache disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service.,Service connection was granted for retinitis pigmentosa, with the Board finding that the condition worsened during service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, painful scar -back (secondary to lumbar spinal stenosis with lumbar disc displacement and failed back syndrome osteoarthritis), and right hand disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. A new VA opinion is needed to determine if the condition began during service or was caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but remands them due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an updated medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and his ear symptoms.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for COPD has not been met. The Veteran's current COPD does not appear to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the schedular rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable was proper, and that restoration of the 10 percent rating is not warranted.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for a higher evaluation of tinnitus and has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and right knee disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,PTSD with alcohol use disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's restoration of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Issues regarding increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee degenerative arthritis, and depression are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart murmur and vision disability were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 4, 2010, and ratings in excess of 20 percent from June 4, 2010, to December 1, 2010, and in excess of 60 percent from December 1, 2010, to August 20, 2016, for bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Board has dismissed the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as it was granted by a May 2021 rating decision and is now moot.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted at a noncompensable level, but with the possibility of increased ratings in the future based on further evidence or changes in his condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date determinations, and TDIU claim. The specific issues include esophagus disability, heart disability, jaw (mouth/teeth) disability, schizophrenia disorder, left ear hearing loss, deviated nasal septum, TBI, and headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for left knee disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The claim will be further developed and reviewed by a VA examiner.