Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis (claimed as allergies), asthma, sleep apnea, heart disability, kidney disability, and anemia due to new evidence received since the January 1995 rating decision. The issues of service connection are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal includes a claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus. The AOJ must issue a Statement of the Case on this matter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were granted. The claim for left ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service.,His right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are not considered for VA purposes as they do not meet the criteria of a current disability.,The Veteran's back disability, bilateral knee strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and left knee gout are found to be related to his military service.,However, due to conflicting evidence and opinions, the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied. The decision on this issue is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to provide him with a VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss, ingrown toenails, heart condition, digestive disability (gastroenteritis), periodontal disease, liver condition, left lower extremity sciatica, major depressive disorder with insomnia and traumatic brain injury (TBI), DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, right hand DJD, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, residual scars of the right eyebrow, and residual scars of the left upper and forearm. The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to his withdrawal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for dizziness disorder. Tinnitus was granted as a new condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to May 24, 2013 due to his employment and income during this period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The Board has also granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, right foot condition, left foot condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 23, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The evidence showed entitlement to no more than a 0 percent rating prior to May 28, 2018, and no more than a 10 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability results in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's service-connected low back disability renders him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a blown ear drum (perforated tympanic membrane) due to lack of audiometric findings at entry and separation, as well as incomplete medical records. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and acne have been remanded due to the Veteran declining VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that an addendum opinion is necessary to address whether his current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure. The heart disability claim is also being remanded.