Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot disorder, dental trauma upper front teeth, residuals of a broken nose, low back disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical records are needed from Social Security Administration, and VA examinations are required for each issue.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hearing loss and hypertension. The Veteran's PTSD, migraines, back disability (lumbosacral and thoracic spine), left lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are all rated at their maximum levels. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and service connection issues are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence. The specific issues include rating adjustments, service connection determinations, and reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder ankylosis have not met the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with an average hearing acuity of Level I in both ears.,For the period prior to September 22, 2022, the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right shoulder was not productive of limitation of motion or other impairment. After that date, it is rated as 40 percent disabling and above 40 percent thereafter.,The left wrist disorder did not manifest during service, is not otherwise etiologically related to service, arthritis did not manifest within one year of discharge, and is not caused by the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis. The acquired psychiatric disorder (Persistent Depressive Disorder) was also found not to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 18, 2018 and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was reduced to noncompensable, but the Board found that there had not been an actual improvement in his condition and restored the 10 percent rating effective January 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 31, 2012 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right hand condition are both denied. Service connection for high blood pressure (hypertension) is also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for his major depressive disorder is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his condition did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for polyuria and urinary urgency due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's vertigo is aggravated by his service-connected cardiac disorders and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding this matter.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted, but he is still seeking a compensable rating prior to February 13, 2023.,For the period since February 13, 2023, his bilateral hearing loss has been rated as Level I (non-compensable).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to unclear findings regarding his current hearing loss status and insufficient examination reports addressing service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea began during active service and is granted.,The Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression, PTSD, and alcohol use disorder related to his in-service stressor. A VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level II in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board denied the claim for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but is unclear about the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine if the Veteran currently has right ear hearing loss that meets VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection and rating for chest pain, hearing loss, left shoulder pain, major depressive disorder, left ankle pain, left hip pain, left knee pain, right ankle pain, right hip pain, and a compensable rating for dry eye syndrome.