Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since August 7, 2010.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for headache disability, right ankle sprain and residuals of fibula fracture, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for tinnitus was granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss is still pending as it has been remanded.,The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses of tinnitus and credible reports of in-service acoustic trauma. However, the August 2013 examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss was deemed inadequate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.,The claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for traumatic brain injury (TBI) was also denied as a matter of law because the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in October 2021 and May 2022.

The Board denied service connection for AML and the cause of death due to service-connected conditions. The evidence did not support a finding that any service-connected condition caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung, prostate, and diabetes mellitus disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure.,Specifically, the AOJ is directed to obtain a July 23, 2008 letter from the Department of Army regarding herbicide usage in Korea between 1962 and 1970.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric testing did not support such a rating.,A 20 percent rating for right ankle disability from March 12, 2012 to October 26, 2020 was granted based on marked limitation of motion. The claim for a compensable rating after October 27, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not show any 'marked' limitation of motion.,A compensable rating for right ankle disability from October 27, 2020 was denied due to lack of 'marked' limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination in determining if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss, sleep deprivation, skin rash, and depression are all remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to September 30, 2019, and in excess of 40 percent from September 30, 2019 to April 13, 2021, and in excess of 50 percent from April 13, 2021 to July 23, 2021, and in excess of 70 percent from July 23, 2021.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with Depressed Mood, as well as the nature and etiology of any right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and arm, elbow, and hand disorders. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent from February 12, 2020 onwards. The Board denied entitlement to a higher rating prior to that date and denied TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, heart disability, dyspnea (lung condition), hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of a current disability. For sleep apnea, the Board found that further examination was needed.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, left knee, lupus, fibromyalgia, and bilateral hearing loss conditions as there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a residual lung condition from measles, and coronary artery disease due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on this evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.