Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims seeking earlier effective dates for tinnitus and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent were withdrawn. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated employment information from the Veteran and any SSA disability benefits records. The issue of TDIU remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous medical opinion and the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, stating that the Veteran's low back disorder was less likely related to his in-service back treatment. The claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss is reopened due to new and material evidence.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus and the evidence does not indicate a causal relationship between active duty service and the Veteran's current condition.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have current tinnitus, and thus denied service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran also sought service connection for right eye corneal abrasion but was unable to establish a nexus with his military service due to inconsistencies in his statements and clinical evidence.,Service connection for right eye corneal abrasion is denied as there is no indication of a current disability related to the alleged injury during service.

The Board has remanded the case to further develop evidence for a claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran asserts that his current hearing loss is due to noise exposure during service, but VA audiologists have noted inconsistencies in the separation examination results and concluded that the current hearing loss is more likely related to occupational and recreational sources.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the findings of a November 2019 VA examiner and conflicting medical authority.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition due to withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran. The issues of increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as TDIU, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and bilateral hearing loss disability are being remanded due to incomplete medical records. The Board requests that VA obtain private treatment records from Dr. M. and any additional VA treatment records from June 2021 to the present, including the August 2020 audiological examination results.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis claim was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of pulmonary involvement with persistent symptoms requiring chronic low dose or intermittent corticosteroids.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim was also denied, as his average puretone threshold in both pre- and post-bronchodilator tests were below 45 decibels.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of right index finger fracture, and residuals of right great toe fracture due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for abdominal scar, post vagotomy; a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of duodenal ulcer, post vagotomy with irritable bowel syndrome; a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss; and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. Additionally, the TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's allergic rhinitis during changing seasons.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and heart disease, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability. The VA will obtain additional medical records and provide new opinions on these issues.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a skin disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for high frequency sensorineural hearing loss prior to June 1, 2022 and from June 1, 2022 was denied as her symptoms did not warrant any higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the RO not having considered all relevant medical records in their initial determination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical evaluation.