Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including IBS, left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome with subdeltoid bursitis, tinnitus, right and left knee arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the appeal period from January 19, 2016, through November 4, 2019. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions alone are sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis and excluding periods of temporary total rating.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, thus the TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's initial separate and compensable disability rating of 20 percent for bilateral dry eye syndrome has been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been increased to a 20 percent rating effective August 12, 2023. Prior to this date, the disability was rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The case needs further development and an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable throughout the period on appeal, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, chronic pain syndrome, multiple sclerosis, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder have all been denied.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or illness that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, GERD, acquired mental health condition (excluding PTSD), and bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis have been granted service connection. The Veteran's hernia, left side, groin muscle disability, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, left ear injury, throat gland disability, and ear wart disability have not been established as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various knee, ankle, and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. Effective dates earlier than June 30, 2017, are not warranted.,Service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is granted with effective date of June 30, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral hearing loss, left knee degenerative arthritis, and hip disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to any compensable rating for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete development of evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have continued since.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, pension reduction, and overpayment waivers due to insufficient development. The appeals are now pending for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no direct relationship between his current hearing loss and his military service. The evidence does not show a nexus to noise exposure in service or within one year of separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the aggravation of pre-existing hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss began during his military service and is related to noise exposure in service.