Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the significance of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected prostate cancer residuals and major depressive disorder, which precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent until November 14, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter, for PTSD, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are all remanded due to incomplete STRs, need for additional medical opinions, and the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability has been reopened due to new evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for diabetes. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of diabetes and that the Veteran did not have a currently diagnosed disability related to his in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral otosclerosis were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the presumptive period, and the medical opinions did not support a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a chest muscle disorder was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal during the hearing.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because there is no evidence of chronic hearing loss in service or within one year after separation, and the current hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for disability. The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is less likely related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to November 12, 2021, and assigned a 30 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bladder cancer, and lower extremity neuropathy due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to conduct additional research into the Veteran's potential exposure.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board dismissed these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss during service. The examiner is asked to consider threshold shifts in hearing and potential noise exposure from ACDUTRA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, chronic headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's left wrist and elbow disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and that the Veteran did not have a hearing loss disability at separation from service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no current disabilities or evidence of in-service injuries, events, or diseases that would support the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (asthma, bilateral hearing loss, chronic lumbosacral strain, degenerative osteoarthritic and disc narrowing, and status post excision of leukoplakia of the lower lip with one painful residual scar) rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 1, 2015. The Veteran also had basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 prior to December 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added by VA, and the Veteran's request for a waiver of review.