Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's high cholesterol is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes, so his claim of service connection for this condition must be denied. For the other conditions, the Board found that additional development is needed including examinations and etiology opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except TDIU and DEA benefits, which have been granted with earlier effective dates.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's testimony, private audiologist opinion, and service treatment records indicating shifts in hearing acuity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent effective December 20, 2018. The rating for the condition in excess of 30 percent from February 10, 2020 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The decision on compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess its severity, as the last one was conducted in December 2016 and does not reflect current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, and gunshot wounds to the hip and leg, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not found to meet the criteria for service connection as his audiometric results did not indicate a disability level of at least 40 decibels in any frequency range.,The VA examiner determined that the bilateral gynecomastia is more likely than not caused by medication used to treat a service-connected skin condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg condition is denied as there is no current disability that began during or approximate to the pendency of the claim, beyond those already encompassed by other issues on appeal.,The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for synovitis with femoro-acetabular impingement, pincer-type, right hip; limitation of flexion and extension of thigh, right hip; and service connection for a spinal disability, to include a coccyx condition, are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board has remanded this issue.,The Veteran's low back disability (IVDS with spondylosis and degenerative disc disease) warrants a rating of at least 40 percent from July 12, 2012. The evidence is evenly balanced as to whether his symptomatology more nearly approximates flexion to 30 degrees or less.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy does not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to his military service. The VA examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding loud noise exposure during service, including his jobs in air defense artillery and vehicle mechanic.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for right knee disability, PTSD, chronic headache disability, and right ear hearing loss. The claim for an eye disability remains pending as it was not reopened.

The Board has determined that the claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension need to be remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives and issues related to the examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral leg disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability, but his bilateral leg disability may be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination.,New evidence has reopened the previously denied claims of radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (claimed as right leg condition) and bilateral hearing loss.

The appeal for right ear hearing loss is dismissed as the benefit has been granted.,Residuals of a head injury and back disability are remanded due to need for further examination and opinion.,Back disability is remanded due to need for further examination and opinion.,Respiratory disorder (including spot on lung, shortness of breath, and/or sleep apnea) is remanded due to need for updated VA treatment records and addendum medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disabilities within the criteria defined by VA regulations.