Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The issues of rating cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disability due to chemical exposure, left hip disability, and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and pes planus was denied as there is no evidence of new and material evidence to reopen the claims, and he failed to appear for his scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss had onset in service or is related to his conceded noise exposure, and whether his tinnitus caused or aggravated his hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of current diagnosis. The claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinea versicolor are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and headaches have been reopened. However, the evidence does not support these claims as his conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there are conflicting opinions regarding their etiology. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and left leg disability for additional development. The case of service connection for left ear swelling is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the reduction in his right knee rating from 10 percent to 0 percent is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple conditions, including cell lymphocyte deficiency, hypogammaglobulinemia, premature ovarian failure, asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, fibromyalgia, chronic laryngitis, muscle weakness, hypertension, cholecystitis, and basal cell carcinoma, all of which are related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, methanol, and phenol.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to December 20, 2019 and a rating in excess of 50 percent for the period from December 20, 2019 for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the inadequacy of the May 2015 VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his service, including in-service noise exposure and treatment for earwax buildup.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service and granted service connection.,The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to in-service stressors and granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following gainful employment prior to January 4, 2020.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's right ankle sprain and back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service causation or aggravation.,The Veteran's breathing problems are remanded as the nature and etiology need further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate statement of reasons or bases, and needs to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including considering delayed onset hearing loss.