Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and right wrist condition. The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus was rated at 10%.,There is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus during service, nor is there any credible continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the lack of VA examination and outstanding relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10% from March 2, 2020 onwards. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was granted a 30% rating prior to September 28, 2016 and denied any higher rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), bilateral flatfoot, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence indicating possible in-service exposure. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine osteoarthritis do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability of these conditions at any time during or recent to the filing of his claim.,Service connection was also denied for tinnitus due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings related to bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis with upper respiratory infections, right ankle sprain residuals, and PTSD have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for cervical and lumbar spine conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hearing loss due to insufficient evidence and a lack of separation audiometry. The Veteran's auditory processing disorder is also being examined on remand.

The Board found that the Veteran's appeal was untimely and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of a private audiology report in the VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be further developed and reconsidered.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but the hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 25, 2013 for service connection of right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there was no prior correspondence indicating an intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period September 27, 2014 to March 1, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory condition, specifically obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and a skin condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and progression of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and sleep apnea due to new evidence requiring further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left knee condition due to new evidence showing potential current disabilities and conflicting onset dates.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to deficiencies in the October 2020 VA opinion, which did not address the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service acoustic trauma and explain their reliance on the absence of audiology treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to service exposure, specifically noise exposure during active duty.