Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA audiological examinations and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for sleep apnea. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted, and his tinnitus as secondary to this condition is also granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for various conditions, including right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right upper extremity disorder, left upper extremity disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is due to the Veteran's passing.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper notification for an examination and because there is some indication that the Veteran may now have hearing loss thresholds that may be considered disabling. The Veteran will be given one additional opportunity to appear for her examination.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of head injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depressive disorder unspecified, polysubstance dependence in partial remission and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine due to lack of evidence supporting the presence or continuity of current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records from a private ENT doctor and issues with representation. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hearing loss is being returned for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and his military service. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a different examiner.

Your right and left ear hearing loss have been granted service connection since February 17, 2009. This appeal is dismissed as the claim has already been resolved in your favor.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The issue of right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and vertigo disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition or any increase in severity during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to need the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation at any time during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The issue of service connection for a low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 23, 2014 for the addition of his spouse to his VA disability compensation was denied. The Board found that the earliest communication with VA concerning addition of a spouse occurred in September 2014, and he did not submit evidence of marriage within one year of notification of the September 2014 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The claim will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been present since service separation and meeting the requirements of presumptive service connection based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a relationship between his military service and his current condition.