Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence. Service connection is granted for kidney cancer, but hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded as there is an inadequate opinion in the VA examination report. Esophageal cancer is also remanded as there is no VA examination or opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left eye injury with traumatic cataract has been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, but remanded for further clarification on whether it is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus. TDIU was also remanded as the Veteran meets the schedular criteria and needs consideration.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied because the Veteran did not have any complaints or treatment related to tinnitus during service, and his current condition is more likely associated with post-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss claims due to inconsistencies with previous examinations. The Veteran also needs updated VA treatment records, an audiological examination, and a knee disability examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current hearing loss and active-duty service.

Your appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin disability, including skin cancer, have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for rhinitis, claimed as a respiratory disorder, is granted. The remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and additional evidence from his therapist.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of right ear hearing loss prior to April 1, 2022, and denied his claim for service connection for radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity. His claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, deviated septum, residuals of concussion (including TBI), Parkinson's disease, and right ear hearing loss.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinions are inadequate to decide the claim, and thus remanded for further development and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new audiological examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chorioretinitis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the mid-back remains pending as it was remanded by the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's TBI, vertigo, blurred vision, left knee disability, sciatica, bilateral hearing loss, and temporomandibular joint disability are all under review.

The Board has remanded the case for further action regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including a VA medical opinion on the speech recognition scores and consideration of extraschedular referral.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development as there may be outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The appeal is remanded due to a lack of VA treatment records dating back to 1966. A new VA examination is also required for the PUD with IBS claim.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating before May 15, 2018, or for a 100 percent rating thereafter. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed insufficient to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for PTSD and left knee disability, and denied service connection for tinnitus. Right eye vision loss and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.