Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will require an additional VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to in-service acoustic trauma and meets the regulatory threshold for a disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for neck injury and upper back injury were both denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted with a 20% rating effective April 22, 2014. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and bladder cancer are also granted due to in-service herbicide exposure.

Service connection for left knee impairment, migraines, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is reopened.,Service connection for glaucoma and photophobia OU/contraction of the visual field OU as secondary to TBI is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is granted, and the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent from March 17, 2022. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's authorized representative.,Service connection has not been granted for a low back condition or migraine headache disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service.,Service connection was granted for retinitis pigmentosa, with the Board finding that the condition worsened during service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, painful scar -back (secondary to lumbar spinal stenosis with lumbar disc displacement and failed back syndrome osteoarthritis), and right hand disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. A new VA opinion is needed to determine if the condition began during service or was caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but remands them due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an updated medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and his ear symptoms.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for COPD has not been met. The Veteran's current COPD does not appear to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the schedular rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable was proper, and that restoration of the 10 percent rating is not warranted.