Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous Remand directives and insufficient opinion from the November 2019 VA examiner. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, and PTSD with depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other appealed claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's left ear otitis media and externa, as well as outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a heart disability due to incomplete service records, specifically missing STRs from his periods of active duty in January 2003 to December 2003. The Board also requested verification of the dates and character of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence that these conditions were caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a greater evaluation.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain updated treatment records and the March 26, 2019 audiogram record. The case is now pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing service records and medical treatment records, as well as obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his gastric ulcer disorder has also been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes or weight loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to in-service ear infections and falls, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in at least approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to service exposure to hazardous noise. The appeal was granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a significant threshold shift or aggravation during active service.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have current hearing or knee disabilities for VA purposes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if his bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence showing his hearing condition worsened beyond the results provided in the VA examinations conducted.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent since September 18, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and denied the claim for an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss prior to January 29, 2018 is denied as it did not meet the criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss prior to January 29, 2018 is denied as it did not meet the criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss as of January 29, 2018 requires further examination and evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss on a presumptive basis due to noise exposure during service, finding that the Veteran had continuous symptoms of hearing loss since service separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, insomnia disorder, right ankle and knee disorders, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of February 11, 2021. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to determine his unemployability prior to that date.