Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, central corneal scar of the right eye, lagophthalmos of the upper eyelid of the right eye, and optic neuropathy of the right eye are etiologically related to his in-service traumatic injuries. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The effective date for service connection remains August 20, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding their onset during service.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, heart condition, erectile dysfunction, GERD, and bowel condition are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's Disease, but remanded these issues due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, including entitlement to separate compensable ratings for residuals of left ear hearing loss on extraschedular basis. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development needed, including a new VA opinion on noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the March 2017 rating decision. The AOJ must now consider these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, and the Board has found new and material evidence to support reopening. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, back disability, radiculopathy of the lower legs, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right shoulder disorder, and a bilateral knee disorder as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or their onset in service.,The Veteran was not granted any increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that a VA opinion should be obtained regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim due to potential conflicting medical literature and the possibility of delayed onset or gradual progression.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure. The claims for bilateral shin splint and right shoulder disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or association with service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal. The claim for tinnitus was granted in a previous decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for a bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be due to his active service, while the evidence does not support a finding that his bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder was incurred or aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's service-connected back condition, neuropathy, and hearing loss prevented him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to October 7, 2019. The Board granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's status post ulnar nerve transposition with right carpal tunnel syndrome is granted a 70 percent disability rating.,An initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 22, 2022 is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the period from April 22, 2022 to May 25, 2022 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 70 percent from May 25, 2022 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 22, 2022, resulting in a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied as his audiometric testing did not show hearing loss that met the criteria for a compensable rating.