Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange.,Ischemic heart condition is also granted as service connected on a presumptive basis due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective December 20, 2019. The Board found that this is the appropriate effective date because it is the earliest possible date for a grant of TDIU given the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU on that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since April 13, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, and hip disorder have been granted.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The lumbar spine disorder and hip disorder are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an otolaryngology specialist's opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and acoustic neuroma, as well as noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level II in the right ear and no worse than Level IV in the left ear, resulting in a 0 percent disability rating. The Board denied the claim for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination. The Veteran's transient ischemic attacks were also remanded due to failure to provide good cause for missing an earlier scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and a need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's dizziness and his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The claim will be reviewed again with a new opinion from an ear, nose, and throat physician or otolaryngologist.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right foot injury. The AOJ is directed to remand the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete review and lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee condition and entitlement to TDIU prior to August 7, 2014 due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeals for restoration of a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating higher than 10 percent for back disability need to be remanded due to new evidence received after previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder and right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss with cochlear hyperacusis was not found to warrant a compensable evaluation under DC 6100, but his cochlear hyperacusis received a 10% rating effective from August 12, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) because the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss remains unresolved due to lack of meeting the statutory definition for VA compensation purposes. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease (coronary artery disease), hypertension, residuals of stroke associated with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity, and right foot amputation of two toes have been granted due to new and material evidence. The Veteran is presumed to be exposed to herbicide agents while serving in Korea.,The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been granted due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination, and the need for another examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss.