Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for SMC at other than the housebound rate was denied as he did not meet the criteria for this benefit during the specified period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right-hand knuckle injury, bilateral hearing loss, and head injury. The claim for tinnitus was granted as it is considered to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that the right ear hearing loss claim should be remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate opinions in previous VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relationship to military service. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a low back condition and hearing loss due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed again with additional opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, anxiety disorder, and chronic cough to obtain additional medical records and provide examinations.,An effective date prior to January 16, 2014, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the audiometric data conversion and the need for an addendum VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability for VA purposes during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD have been granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted. However, the issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for tooth condition, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, gout, sinus condition, and dental abscesses. The remaining issues of service connection for alcohol abuse with drug abuse (secondary to PTSD), stomach condition (secondary to service-connected disabilities), and a compensable rating for TBI are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as the Veteran did not have a current disability of hearing impairment recognized by VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss worsened during service and is therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder. However, it denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability prior to April 8, 2022 was denied. His claim for an increased rating of more than 30 percent from that date was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, esophageal disability, and low back disability are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and increased ratings for left knee instability prior to July 2018, but remanded the issues of increased ratings for right knee instability and right knee flexion impairment. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The left shoulder claim has been reopened, but the other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to new and material evidence, but the appeals are still pending as some issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition, as it may have worsened since his last VA examination in August 2021.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, skin condition of the feet (claimed as athlete's foot), ingrown toenail of the right foot, back condition, and right knee condition. The decision found no current disability for hearing loss or tinnitus that would meet VA compensation criteria.