Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a Statement of the Case (SOC). The Veteran must first file an SOC before appealing these issues further.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in November 2017. The Board is remanding the case to obtain updated treatment records and schedule a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 6, 2022, and in excess of 30 percent thereon and after was denied. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including as a result of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or burn pits, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relationship to service, specifically in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 18, 2015 is remanded due to the need for further development and examination. The AOJ must verify the date of last full-time employment and schedule a VA examination to assess functional impairment from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in the August 2004 rating decision, and no new and material evidence has been received since then.,The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened due to the submission of a September 2017 VA examination report showing a diagnosis of bilateral knee strain. The Veteran's testimony at the March 2022 Board hearing supports this finding.,Service connection for hypertension, chest pain, and heart condition has not been established as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service continuity of symptoms. Service connection for PTSD was granted with a rating of 50 percent but without an effective date prior to July 18, 2017.,Service connection for metatarsalgia status post fracture in both feet and right leg radiculopathy have been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions are related to service or the Veteran's current symptoms. Service connection for left shoulder condition, sinus condition, sleep apnea, digestive condition (including GERD), and back condition has also not been established.,The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral knee conditions, metatarsalgia status post fracture in both feet, and PTSD. The Veteran's testimony supported these findings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level II for the right ear and Level I for the left ear, resulting in a non-compensable disability rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in the disability rating.

The appeal for service connection of a breast disorder is dismissed. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to lack of evidence supporting the claim. Other issues remain remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left knee disabilities are granted as direct service connection. His bilateral hearing loss is also granted.,Service connection for these conditions is established based on the rigorous nature of his military service, including exposure to noise during training.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus secondary to bilateral hearing loss, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and right arm numbness due to the pre-existing neck and right shoulder disabilities. The decision is based on evidence showing a current disability in each condition and a link between service and these conditions.

The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for COPD is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, PTSD, seizure disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board has determined that these issues are remanded due to ambiguities in the character of discharge determination and insufficient medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to February 23, 2017, in excess of 50 percent from February 23, 2017, to March 23, 2022, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss are denied. Service connection for a bilateral eye disorder is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss was aggravated during service. The claim seeking an increased rating for lumbar spine disability is being remanded.

The reduction in the rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from 60 percent to noncompensable was proper as evidenced by improvement under ordinary conditions of life. The restoration of the 60 percent rating is denied.

The Veteran's vertigo, back disability, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further examination and evaluation. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's appeal on higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU remains active.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with its previous remand directives regarding an addendum opinion on the etiology and impact of the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma on his hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his conditions are at least as likely as not associated with his 17 years of active service in the Air Force.