Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, osteoarthritis of the right hand second digit and thumb, asthma, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), prostate cancer with prostatectomy, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, right thigh residual scar, right index finger scar, and abdomen scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating above 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the LUE with LUE weakness prior to September 10, 2019 are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's tinnitus was caused by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and the Board granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral vision loss, hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, tinnitus, right neck lesion, shoulder disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain, lumbar spine disability, colon disability with associated abdominal scar, and foot disabilities. The reasons given include lack of evidence showing the conditions were present during or within one year after service, no credible link to service, and failure to show continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected due to noise exposure during military service. The claims for increased ratings of left and right bunionectomy scars are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Appellant's withdrawal of his appeals for VA benefits, service connection, and compensation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there were duty-to-assist errors in obtaining medical opinions prior to the July 2024 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's visual impairment was a complication of his service-connected hearing loss and if his hearing impairment prevented him from responding to fire alarms. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss claims were denied, while his service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (vertigo) on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt in determining that his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his vertigo.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted a 30% rating. Service connection for COPD, emphysema, and prostate cancer are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right thumb traumatic arthritis and dismissed his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of timely response.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted, effective from August 12, 2022 to August 22, 2023. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance is also granted as of August 12, 2022. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, right calcaneal spur, and left calcaneal spur were granted. The Veteran was assigned a 10% disability rating for each condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle pain. The claimant's private medical records showed diagnoses but no in-service events or injuries that could be linked to these conditions.,The Board also denied secondary service connection for a left ankle condition as it was not granted primary service connection for the right ankle pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain an adequate medical opinion. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since June 2014.,The Board finds that the combination of multiple disabilities, including sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and lumbar condition with radiculopathy, has prevented the Veteran from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 31, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran required permanent assistance from his granddaughter due to service-connected disabilities.