Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus, headaches, and vertigo are granted service connection. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for anxiety is remanded as a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left ankle condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.,The Veteran's left TPS, limitation of extension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left TPS, limitation of flexion is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left TPS, impairment of thigh is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board has found errors in the prior rating decision and remanded the cases of prostate cancer and bilateral hearing loss for further development to ensure proper consideration of service connection claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level I in the right ear and no worse than Level I in the left ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is related to hazardous noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to an error in providing notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand and right hand disabilities are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The effective date for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, strep throat, and upper respiratory infection as there is no current disability found in the record.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are more likely attributable to non-service-connected Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service. The Board found the evidence does not support a nexus between his current bilateral hearing loss and his active service.,The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service, as he reported experiencing symptoms since 1969. Subsequent manifestations were noted during the appeal period. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's Parkinson's Disease with balance impairment is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 8004-6204, and a higher rating is not granted.,Separate ratings are granted for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, urinary problems, difficulty chewing, swallowing, and drooling, left sided speech changes, and right sided speech changes associated with Parkinson's disease.,The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial 20% disability rating for bilateral dry eye with pinguecula and conjunctivitis was granted, but the other claims were denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of a pending unadjudicated claim prior to July 12, 2022. The effective date for the grant of TDIU is set at July 12, 2022.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and left knee disability. Service connection is denied for fatigue, blurred vision, deviated septum, dyspnea (other than heart disability), and gastroesophageal reflux disease.,The Veteran's service records show he experienced symptoms of tinnitus during active duty in 1991 and his left knee injury occurred during a qualifying period of National Guard service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining private treatment records and reviewing evidence added to the claims file since the March 2023 Supplemental Statement of the Case. The Veteran's TDIU rating claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular evaluation prior to May 22, 2024.

The Board remands the matter to obtain a VA TERA examination and medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's hearing loss disability is related to toxic exposure risk activity during service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability, as the previous opinions were inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment from December 12, 2017 to December 31, 2019 on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has decided that service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examiner with the opportunity to address the nexus between current tinnitus and in-service acoustic trauma.