Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated beyond normal progression during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for clarification of the December 2019 private audiometric evaluation and review of all outstanding VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU from January 11, 2011 to November 1, 2020 will also be considered.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on November 28, 2015, at St. Peter's Hospital was denied because the VA facility (Fort Harrison Emergency Room) was feasibly available and prior authorization was not obtained.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing had worsened to a level warranting a compensable rating before January 26, 2022, or a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether it was incurred in service, while the claim for tinnitus has been granted based on presumed service connection due to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as service connected, and he is granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to June 25, 2007 due to his service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.,The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, and tinnitus are being remanded to the RO for further consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service. The Board also found that secondary service connection was not warranted as his hearing loss did not occur proximately due to his service-connected parotid gland tumor.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for this condition. The Veteran's current hearing loss is linked to in-service noise exposure from artillery, particularly during his military duties as a field artillery man.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period from December 20, 2013 to August 9, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU based solely on his PTSD during this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or an applicable presumption period and noting that the Veteran did not meet VA regulations for hearing impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the lack of a recent VA examination and a legible copy of the private audiogram. The claims file will be updated with all available treatment records, and a new VA audiology examination will be scheduled.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient explanation in a previous VA examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's additional hearing loss, cranial swelling, vertigo, disorientation, memory loss, and left jaw pain are not deemed to be caused by VA care or treatment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no prior formal or informal claim received before June 7, 2018.