Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his bilateral hearing loss and an addendum opinion regarding whether his tinnitus is related to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA audiogram results from his treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for a disability of the upper extremities, to include thoracic neuropathy, is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a bilateral ankle and feet disability is remanded as the VA examiner found a negative nexus to service.,Service connection for a bilateral leg and knee disability is remanded as the VA examiner found a negative nexus to service.,Service connection for a lumbar disorder, claimed as lumbar radiculopathy, is remanded as the VA examiner found a negative nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment because of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 11, 2020 and to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional information regarding the appellant's eligibility for substitution as the Veteran's dependent parent, which is necessary before the appeal can be evaluated on its merits.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and left ear hearing loss are all granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. However, the right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss. The tinnitus claim is also granted as it is related to the now-service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn and dismissed.,Service connection for left knee strain was denied as the evidence does not support an in-service injury or disease, and there is no credible link between current symptoms and service.,Service connection for a bilateral foot disability was denied due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's testimony about chronic pain during service did not align with contemporaneous records indicating he did not seek treatment for left knee issues.,The Veteran's claim for right shoulder disability, psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder), cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy was remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, tinnitus, and hearing loss, have made it difficult for him to secure and maintain gainful employment. The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA Form 21-8940 from the appellant and an advisory opinion from the Director of Compensation Service regarding TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 1, 1995 for the Veteran's entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). Effective this date, the Veteran is eligible for TDIU benefits due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and various ratings for migraine headaches and seizure disorder due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection as a chronic disease noted within one year of discharge and with continuity of symptoms since. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied an increased rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and difficulty in contacting him. The matter is being returned for further development, including obtaining missing medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that an increase to a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was no greater than Level III for both the right and left ear, resulting in a non-compensable rating. The claim for an initial rating higher than 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a head injury are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran withdrew all pending claims, including those for service connection for upper extremities and bilateral hearing loss, before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being necessary.