Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. An initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for old well-healed scar on the left knee is granted. The appeals for service connection for left knee and back disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a VA examination. The Board has also decided to remand the claims of service connection for MSA, Parkinsonism with memory loss secondary to MSA, abducens nerve palsy secondary to MSA, autonomic disorder secondary to MSA, axonal neuropathy secondary to MSA, cognitive brain disorder secondary to MSA, cervical spine disability secondary to MSA, coordination/balance disorder secondary to MSA, dysphagic and choking secondary to MSA, fatty liver/pyelonephritis secondary to MSA, fracture rib disability secondary to coordination/balance disorder due to MSA, frontoparietal volume loss secondary to MSA, and hypertension (HTN) secondary to MSA. The claims are being remanded for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The AOJ will readjudicate the issue taking into consideration all available evidence, including his National Guard and Army Reserve service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by a hearing level of 'II' in the right ear and 'III' in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and tinnitus, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment as of August 12, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely related to his military service due to exposure to loud noise during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear and/or headache condition, as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches has been denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service stressors.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus disability, finding that the evidence is at least in balance and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral ear infections were denied. The Veteran's right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel disabilities are each granted a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error. The VA examiner's opinions are insufficient as they did not consider the Veteran's continuity of symptoms post-military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that his hearing loss did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 40 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2019. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for this condition.,Tinnitus was rated at 10 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2020. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested no worse than Level II in the right ear and Level I in the left ear during the period on appeal, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to August 30, 2019, was denied. A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.