Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and Meniere's disease are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2019 VA examinations. The Board requires a new examination from an ENT specialist to determine if these conditions are related to service, including noise exposure during combat.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and in-service noise exposure, and the Veteran's separation examination showed normal hearing.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to in-service acoustic trauma. However, due to inadequate opinions regarding these conditions, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is granted, and the right ear hearing loss disability issue is remanded. The heart disability issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the August 2020 VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected cold weather injuries of the bilateral feet are not considered to have contributed to his death from unspecified atrial fibrillation. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The Board has found the March 2021 decision inadequate and remanded for an updated medical review to determine if the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, and toileting. The decision also notes that the Veteran may require regular supervision, protection, or instruction to keep himself safe.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an addendum VA medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for hypothyroidism as it was granted in a previous decision. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and service connection for PTSD were dismissed due to the AOJ's decision being deferred. The appeal of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his current hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of December 9, 2015, for his tinnitus claim and a 50% disability rating from February 12, 2019, for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pruritis ani and associated diarrhea (IBS) have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has current symptoms of these conditions and established a link to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for undiagnosed Gulf War Illness manifested by a muscle condition, joint condition due to Gulf War (claimed as joints and muscle condition due to gulf war), skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disabilities due to additional evidence submitted since the last statement of the case. The claims are being remanded for a new VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his active service. The decision does not address any rating or effective date.