Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is granted due to presumed exposure during his active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, hearing loss, and hepatitis C due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran contends that his conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative disc disease before a decision was made.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the cases of right and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis of the left knee and his claim for service connection for pruritis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the scrotum has been reopened, but not granted. The evidence received since the November 2006 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to establish the claim (a diagnosis of a skin rash and reports of treatment for the same in service and since that time).,The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained during his active service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder (alcohol use disorder/unspecified depressive disorder), right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right wrist disability, left ankle disability, allergies/rhinitis, persistent diarrhea, and migraine headaches are all remanded for further development as specified in the decision.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA records. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss increased rating claim will be reconsidered with these additional documents.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating since September 17, 2009. The issue of TDIU due to PTSD is moot as the Veteran already receives a 100% schedular rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, including right knee, left knee, bilateral hand and back disabilities. The VA will conduct further examinations and obtain medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for residuals of a left leg fracture has been dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating prior to March 16, 2022. His bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to his active military service.,There is no medical evidence showing a chronic left knee disorder during or within one year after service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or treatment for a left knee disorder, and he was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease over fifty years after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further action regarding his claim of entitlement to a TDIU. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he meets the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU, including on the basis of disabilities affecting a single body system (orthopedic), during the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied, but a 30 percent evaluation for PFB based on scars or disfigurement of the neck from May 16, 2013 to October 7, 2019 is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed. The appeal for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded, as well as the issue of individual unemployability.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from January 1, 2021 onward due to his service-connected disabilities. However, the TDIU claim for the period March 19, 2012 to November 24, 2019 is denied as he had substantially gainful employment during this time.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are denied as not being related to service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service connected, but the initial rating for hearing loss remains remanded due to worsening of symptoms.

The appeal for reopening the tinea pedis claim is dismissed. The bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Additional development is needed.