Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for the residuals of a left distal scaphoid fracture and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including obtaining audiogram results and clarifying test methods. The Veteran is also requested to provide authorization for VA to obtain relevant medical records from his March 2018 audiologist.

The Veteran withdrew his service connection claims for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and claustrophobia.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are granted as presumptively related to service due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and chronic headaches due to incomplete VA records and insufficient consideration of recent treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability during service or within one year following discharge, and the most probative evidence indicates that his current hearing loss is not related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, back disability, calcification of the wrists, and left thigh disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and to conduct further research regarding his claimed in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records, lack of a nexus opinion, and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss and denied a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also found that the case does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture to warrant referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for valid audiometric test results.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed all issues of appeal as the Veteran's representative withdrew them in August 2022, and a TDIU is granted from November 9, 2010.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of left lateral condyle epicondylitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence connecting the in-service noise exposure to current left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of VA examination addressing his lay statements regarding back pain since military service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant records, including those from Social Security Administration, and schedule a new audiological and orthopedic examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service injury. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an in-person VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service exposure, as well as to obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the other issues due to incomplete records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to an incomplete VA examination and the need to obtain additional medical records.