Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's September 2019 VA 10182 form was accepted as a Legacy NOD, and thus, the appeal is remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements of in-service noise exposure during combat.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to missing VA treatment records, specifically the July 2019 and May 2021 audiograms.

The Board has found that the VA medical opinions are inadequate for adjudication purposes and remanded both issues of bilateral hearing loss and headache disability due to lack of an adequate examination. The Veteran's claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma during basic training caused his current condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The dental condition for compensation purposes issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for LEFT ear hearing loss disability, but denied service connection for RIGHT ear hearing loss disability including as due to otosclerosis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to in-service noise exposure and resolving doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not rated higher than zero percent, and his left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. The Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability.

The Veteran's 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is restored, effective November 5, 2018. An initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, sternum knot, neck disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability (including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome), thoracolumbar spine disability (including intervertebral disc syndrome), and right hip disability. The claims were reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea was also denied as there was no established service-connected condition to which it could be linked.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to outstanding treatment records and a need for updated evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to hazardous noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the effective date of an increased rating for hearing loss. The Veteran's hearing impairment is being evaluated based on all available medical records, including a retrospective opinion from a qualified medical professional.