Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at the highest available disability rating of 70 percent, effective from September 14, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's syndrome due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The examiner should assess the severity of her service-connected bilateral hearing loss and consider any vestibular disorder.

The Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral pes planus (right foot) have been granted service connection.,A compensable rating of 20 percent has been granted for the Veteran's left ankle disability.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA examination results for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to scheduling issues with VA examinations. The Veteran will be given another opportunity for a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for dementia, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss with vertigo was granted a 30 percent rating prior to February 23, 2022. From that date, the Veteran is denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service and continues to this day.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ear disabilities, including eustachian tube dysfunction and hearing loss. The examiner is requested to provide a new opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions and the need for further audiometric testing. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a gallbladder condition, a respiratory condition (chronic bronchitis), frostbite residuals of the lower and upper extremities, left hand disability, right hand disability, and bilateral hearing loss are all denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a gallbladder condition, a respiratory condition (chronic bronchitis), frostbite residuals of the lower and upper extremities, left hand disability, right hand disability, and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity at worst was Level I in both ears.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is causally related to service exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease have been rated, but the issue of TDIU prior to November 16, 2021 is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD evaluation. The PTSD claim must be resolved first.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active service.