Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is also not established, and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease, including in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion and the need for a contemporaneous VA audiological examination. The Veteran is also advised to provide any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as it requires additional development, including obtaining employment information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent effective October 8, 2022. Prior to this date, the rating was noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as the current VA examinations are inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show that his hearing acuity meets or exceeds the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's testimony indicating that his hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination. The Veteran is also granted service connection for hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound status is remanded due to insufficient explanation of functional impairments attributable solely to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran also has a nonservice-connected condition (Parkinson's disease) that affects his ability to perform daily activities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of the TDIU is remanded due to a lack of clarity in the record regarding when the Veteran became eligible for this benefit.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an earlier effective date for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's headache condition had its onset in service and has continued unabated since separation. The claim for service connection for a headache disability is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's tinnitus rating remains denied as it is at its maximum schedular rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss worsened during service and is therefore considered aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that there is at least a reasonable possibility that his current bilateral hearing loss was incurred in or caused by service. The Veteran had in-service exposure to hazardous noise, including firearms, which may have contributed to his current condition.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional development. The Veteran's claims include back, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, hip, knee, and CTS conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the Board cannot make such a determination in the first instance due to their service-connected psychiatric disability. The case will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, but the effective date remains to be determined by the AOJ.