Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss due to a lack of clarity in the previous opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss existed prior to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient consideration of potential symptomatology related to balance problems and dizziness, as well as a need for an opinion on whether these symptoms are related to service-connected disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further examination and analysis to determine if it is related to service, including in-service noise exposure. The issue of secondary service connection will also be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing impairment did not warrant such a rating based on VA examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and right shoulder condition have all been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right knee disability, and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for additional records and examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service, including his use of the M-14 rifle and his documented 1240 flight hours. The examiner must consider the private positive nexus opinion provided by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service noise exposure and considering other possible causes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether this disability began during active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disorder as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, specifically obtaining a signed informed consent form and providing a supplemental VA medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable evaluations of scars and service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the left arm (secondary to service-connected scars), arthritis of the left hand, arthritis of the left upper thigh, and arthritis of the right leg have been reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her service-connected conditions alone do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence and conduct further examinations for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, shoulder disorder, and knee disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claims file must be provided to an appropriate clinician who will determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability of hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by hearing impairment that corresponds to no more than a level 'III' in the right ear and a level 'II' in the left ear, resulting in a zero percent disability rating.