Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a compensable rating prior to February 27, 2023, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from February 28, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for a hearing loss disability have been denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran had the physical ability to perform the required activities but was unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various musculoskeletal disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.,Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions regarding service connection for right ear hearing loss and hypertension due to issues with the previous denials.

The Veteran's right hand calluses are denied as there is no evidence of chronicity of care for his right hand friction burn, and the VA opinions found that it is less likely than not that the current right hand calluses were caused by service. The left ear hearing loss is also denied as the auditory thresholds in both ears did not meet the criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's neck condition, memory loss due to traumatic brain injury, ulnar nerve condition, left hand and right hand nerve conditions, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), bilateral flat feet and bunions, bilateral hallux valgus/bunions, and bilateral hammer toes are all remanded as further development is needed.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these decisions are final.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no current diagnosis of a hearing disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in a compensable rating since February 1, 2022.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for the service-connected actinic keratosis prior to August 20, 2018, and remanded other issues related to the same condition as well as a separate claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability based on the results of a March 2023 VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as there are no diastolic or systolic blood pressure readings meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.,No new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the bilateral hearing loss disability issue. The claim remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's disabilities are related to her active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, finding no current diagnosis or chronicity in service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for stomach cancer with metastasis to the liver and throat, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability have been denied.,There is no evidence of these conditions being related to service or exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found no evidence to support an earlier effective date than July 22, 2021, the date of his initial claim.,For the initial rating claims, the maximum schedular rating (10%) for recurrent tinnitus has been assigned, and there is no legal basis to award a higher rating. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as Level I under Table VI, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear high frequency hearing loss and left knee disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show worsening in either condition, and thus no increase in rating was warranted.