Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, ankle sprain, hemorrhoids, foot and knee strains, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot wart, bilateral hearing loss, and impacted right ear have been denied. However, the claim for hypertension has been granted.,New evidence received includes VA treatment records and personal statements, which led to readjudication of the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis has been remanded due to the need for an adequate addendum opinion.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and TBI and residuals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and a higher rating for external hemorrhoids with pruritis ani. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to preexisting bilateral hearing loss and low back pain syndrome, as there were issues with the validity of the 1969 audiogram and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has added new and relevant evidence to the record, including a private audiogram evaluation, which suggests the Veteran may have bilateral hearing loss. The claim is being remanded for further examination.

The appeals for the ratings of bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for right knee and left knee conditions have been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and lumbar strain.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for residuals of prostate cancer from January 1, 2018 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and the severity of his prostate cancer residuals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and thus any evidence submitted after the May 2023 rating decision is not considered. The appellant's need for aid and attendance must be reassessed with an appropriate VA examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of hearing loss due to a withdrawal request from the Veteran and his representative.,The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthrosis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to service-connected disabilities, finding that entitlement did not arise until July 16, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand all issues on appeal due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports a determination of in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss. The Board is at least equipoise on whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service.

The reduction from 50% to a 30% evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was not proper, and the 50% evaluation is restored. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing disability for VA purposes.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 1, 2022 for a 10% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.