Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded both claims due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and joint pain as due to an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI. The Veteran's hypertension was not diagnosed, his hearing loss did not meet VA criteria, and there is no evidence of a current joint pain disability apart from what has already been service-connected.

The Veteran's left hip and pinky finger disabilities have been granted service connection. The appeal for tinnitus, hyperlipidemia, and residuals of a first finger injury has been dismissed.,The appeals for PTSD, anxiety, depression, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability are pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral ear pain, dizziness, and a headache disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss due to unresolved medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, residuals of heat stroke, left-sided chest pain, and left arm disability have all been denied. Additionally, his initial compensable ratings for right hip limitation of extension, left hip limitation of extension, right hip flexion prior to December 2, 2021, right hip rotation prior to December 2, 2021, left hip flexion, and left hip rotation prior to December 2, 2021 have also been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, left arm radiculopathy secondary to a cervical spine disability, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability for VA purposes during the appeal period.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that the Veteran had onset of ringing in his ears during active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for hemorrhoids was denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with the May 2011 Board decision being reopened and service connection established.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during her active duty service. The decision is based on credible testimony regarding noise exposure in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case for hypertension is being remanded due to incomplete reasoning in a previous VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations and failure to verify his reported stressors. The matter will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a vasectomy (ED), CTS of the left upper extremity, and CTS of the right upper extremity have all been granted. The Board found that there was sufficient evidence to support service connection in each case.

The Board has dismissed all the claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination. The Veteran's claims are reopened, but further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for flat feet, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), bilateral hearing loss, and irritable colon syndrome has been granted. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to acknowledged in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and the Board found that no higher rating could be assigned based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination and opinion.