Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The claims for PTSD, migraines, right hip disorder, neck disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, right Achilles tendinopathy, left ear hearing loss, and GERD with acid reflux are all granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the appellant's service connection claims due to a duty to assist error. The claims for bilateral flatfeet/fallen arches, chronic rhinitis/sinusitis, unspecified anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right knee scar are all being reconsidered.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, to include as due to exposure to ionizing radiation, asbestos, and lead paint, is denied.,Service connection for alopecia areata, to include as due to exposure to ionizing radiation, asbestos, and lead paint, is denied.,Secondary service connection for fatigue (claimed as fatigue) is granted.,Secondary service connection for cognitive slowing (claimed as memory and concentration difficulties) is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as non-compensable.,His acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and neurogenic bladder condition, require regular aid and attendance. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is granted. As the issue of housebound status is moot due to the grant of aid and attendance, special monthly compensation based on housebound status is dismissed.

The Veteran's right and left hip disorders are granted service connection as the evidence supports an in-service injury and continuity of symptoms.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis for VA purposes, but tinnitus is granted as it began during service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed with respect to the November 19, 2021 rating decision denying service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,An effective date of March 26, 2023 for the 40 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain has been granted.,An earlier effective date than April 17, 2024 for the 50 percent evaluation for temporomandibular joint dysfunction is denied.,The Veteran's lower extremity radiculopathy evaluations are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's migraines are rated at their maximum schedular rating of 50 percent and no extraschedular evaluation has been granted.,The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia is also rated at its maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0%) due to Level I impairment in both ears, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's hair loss and some other conditions are granted service connection, while the right hand disability is denied. The Veteran also has a new rating for his low back condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service injury, event or disease. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability aggravated her right ankle condition, leading to the grant of service connection for this condition.,Her service-connected left ankle disability also caused her bilateral knee conditions (right and left pes anserine bursitis), resulting in the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The issue of service connection for migraines was dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection in an earlier decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the VA examination results do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's COPD is currently rated at zero percent, with PFTs showing an FEV-1 of 91% predicted and FEV-1/FVC of 96%, which does not warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6604.,For lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, the Veteran's current rating is at 20 percent based on forward flexion of 50 degrees and combined range of motion of 125 degrees. The VA examination did not show ankylosis or muscle spasm/severe guarding resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.,The Veteran's right groin scar has been rated as zero percent, with no evidence of instability or pain.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the issue of service connection for facial scarring. A 10 percent initial rating, but no higher, is granted for tension headaches. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and IBS with GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for PTSD is granted from January 6, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for tinnitus is granted from January 6, 2020. The Veteran had already been service connected for tinnitus at the maximum possible rating of 10 percent disabling prior to this decision.