Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right ear disability and hearing loss due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not support these claims.

The Veteran's TBI was granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent effective from January 29, 2015 to June 5, 2018. The RO is directed to obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for short-term memory loss, bilateral hearing loss, fatigue, a heart disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to new evidence not being received.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected, with all doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's combined 100 percent schedular rating means that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot, as his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The appeal for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, and left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The appeals for increased ratings for left elbow lateral epicondylitis, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, and left knee DJD are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he did not complete the necessary VA Form 21-8940 to support his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that there was no evidence of chronic right ear hearing loss within one year after separation from service, nor did it establish continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is considered not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right wrist disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 14, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a Statement of the Case (SOC). The Veteran must first file an SOC before appealing these issues further.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in November 2017. The Board is remanding the case to obtain updated treatment records and schedule a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 6, 2022, and in excess of 30 percent thereon and after was denied. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including as a result of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or burn pits, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relationship to service, specifically in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 18, 2015 is remanded due to the need for further development and examination. The AOJ must verify the date of last full-time employment and schedule a VA examination to assess functional impairment from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in the August 2004 rating decision, and no new and material evidence has been received since then.,The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened due to the submission of a September 2017 VA examination report showing a diagnosis of bilateral knee strain. The Veteran's testimony at the March 2022 Board hearing supports this finding.,Service connection for hypertension, chest pain, and heart condition has not been established as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service continuity of symptoms. Service connection for PTSD was granted with a rating of 50 percent but without an effective date prior to July 18, 2017.,Service connection for metatarsalgia status post fracture in both feet and right leg radiculopathy have been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions are related to service or the Veteran's current symptoms. Service connection for left shoulder condition, sinus condition, sleep apnea, digestive condition (including GERD), and back condition has also not been established.,The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral knee conditions, metatarsalgia status post fracture in both feet, and PTSD. The Veteran's testimony supported these findings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level II for the right ear and Level I for the left ear, resulting in a non-compensable disability rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in the disability rating.

The appeal for service connection of a breast disorder is dismissed. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to lack of evidence supporting the claim. Other issues remain remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left knee disabilities are granted as direct service connection. His bilateral hearing loss is also granted.,Service connection for these conditions is established based on the rigorous nature of his military service, including exposure to noise during training.