Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hand tendonitis, and left hand tendonitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, remanded the issues of service connection for a headache disorder and tinnitus (to include as secondary to bilateral hearing loss and/or a headache disorder), and found that these claims are not granted due to lack of evidence showing causation or etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 9, 2019. As such, the Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board has restored the 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective May 12, 2022 and denied a higher rating. The Veteran's hearing impairment was rated at level VII in the right ear and level IV in the left ear during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran is not permanently bedridden, in need of regular aid and attendance, or so helpless as to be in need of such assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of assigning a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits claim is remanded due to a significant change in his disability picture and the need for an updated vocational evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's prostate condition is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, but the VA examiner found no direct link between his prostate condition and erectile dysfunction.,The Board has remanded the claims for a prostate disability (presumptive) and erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate disability), as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU as his combined service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) amount to 60 percent. The Board also concludes that he is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and bilateral hearing loss ratings are being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal on the issues of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, migraines, and urinary disability is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorders due to incomplete examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it is related to service. The claim was reopened and remanded multiple times due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected back, hearing loss, and tinnitus do not render him unemployable as his education and experience qualify him for a wide variety of positions that would produce income above the poverty threshold.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The decision on the right ear hearing loss is based on the criteria under which hearing loss is evaluated, while the decision on the left ear hearing loss is based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and left ear hearing loss were denied.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 9, 2017 and on and after that date was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support an earlier worsening of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support such an increase.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of respiratory disorder, left foot disability, and right foot disability are being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.