Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened, and the Board is remanding the case to obtain updated VA treatment records and a new audiological evaluation.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to herbicides in service.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded as it is dependent on the rating decisions for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left ankle disability. The issues include seeking a higher rating for the left ankle disability and service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder, bilateral knee, lumbar spine, and PTSD disabilities due to incomplete records. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for abdominal nerve damage and/or painful scars associated with in-service abdominal surgery. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was exposed to noise in service and worksite exposure is also considered, but a new addendum opinion is needed to address recent studies.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination of the Veteran's hearing loss, as attempts have been made but not successful in obtaining an adequate examination. The examiner is requested to determine if there is current hearing loss disability and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been remanded. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a ruptured right ear drum, right and left ear hearing loss, and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied. The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted, effective as of the date of this decision. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to September 23, 2020 are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and did not meet the criteria for an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD from June 24, 2013. For the other conditions, the Board found that they did not meet the criteria for increased ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as it is related to the Veteran's already service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for reopening his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and seeking an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus have been dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have begun during his active duty service and granted as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically associated with in-service acoustic trauma and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include low back disability, right knee disability, diverticulitis, skin disability, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, cholelithiasis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), nephrolithiasis, erectile dysfunction, and Bell's palsy.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, back, traumatic head injury residuals, and left ear hearing loss disabilities. The appeals are remanded for further development including a VA examination.