Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected chronic multi-symptom illness is linked to his anemia, which has been granted as secondary. The case is remanded for further evaluations and potential rating adjustments.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA audiological examination, given the Veteran's incarceration status and current inability to schedule an in-person exam. The examiner will assess whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active-duty service or caused by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands, specifically regarding noise exposure and its impact on hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in and is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied, with the condition not having onset in service and being unrelated to service-connected PTSD.,The Board has remanded the issue of vertigo (Meniere's Syndrome), requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA rating purposes, and thus the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss for further evaluation due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressors. The Veteran is requested to provide additional details about his alleged stressors and complete a VA Form 21-0781.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, posttraumatic headaches and dizziness, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or noise exposure.

The appeals of the claims for right ear hearing loss, dental disability, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are dismissed due to lack of evidence or new information.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus do not show a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable prior to January 27, 2022. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU based on a single service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations. The issues include head injuries, psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, sleep apnea, spine problems, nerve damage in limbs, and knee disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for hearing loss as the appellant withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 4, 2018 and service connection for his neck disorder. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a more severe disability warranting an increased rating or a link between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss and service connection for right ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to his right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence showing he is helpless enough to require assistance from another person.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hypertrophy, memory disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability (chronic low back pain), chronic cervical strain, allergic rhinitis, gastrointestinal disabilities, colon diverticulosis, and degenerative joint diseases of multiple joints. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued since. Service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and lumbar disorder, back pain, degenerative arthritis due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.