Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed as the benefit sought (service connection) has already been granted.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable, and no compensatory rating is warranted.,The Veteran's hallux valgus in both feet does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's scars in both feet do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus combined to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of March 23, 2020. The Board granted the TDIU claim effective March 23, 2020.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable (0%) due to audiometric results showing a mild hearing impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale in previous VA opinions, requiring further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, as the audiometric testing results do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST, is granted. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and esophagitis are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Specifically, the VA examination did not provide adequate rationale regarding the Veteran's exposure to burn pits and fine particulate matter during his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and shin splints should be remanded due to a lack of evidence in the record regarding the presence of hearing loss for VA purposes, inadequate rationale provided by the April 2022 VA examiner on the relationship between hearing loss and tinnitus, and an insufficient consideration of the Veteran's reported symptoms and continued symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing audiogram records from VA facilities. The Veteran's hearing loss condition is still under review.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were granted with effective dates of February 22, 2017. However, the Board denied earlier effective dates as there was no evidence showing a claim prior to this date.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all listed conditions, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's 70% rating for bilateral hearing loss is restored, a rating in excess of 10% for tinnitus is denied, and the Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The compensable rating for abdominal scars associated with esophageal cancer residuals is not granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 12, 2018 was denied.,The right shoulder disability issue is currently pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss during the period from July 13, 2010, to December 15, 2012, is denied as there is no objective audiometric data supporting such a rating. The Board found that the Veteran's dizziness and unemployment were not related to his hearing loss.

The Veteran's application to revise the September 1997 rating decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) for a compensable rating for tinnitus was denied. The appeal is also denied regarding service connection, increased ratings, earlier effective dates, and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss was less likely than not caused by or related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability, the Veteran did not have a significant threshold shift in his in-service audiograms, and there is no evidence of hearing loss within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred during his military service due to exposure to hazardous noise and acoustic trauma.,The issue of service connection for hearing loss remains pending, requiring the AOJ to obtain relevant medical records and provide an addendum opinion.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during its pendency.