Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran is granted a 30 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, which corresponds to the worst level of hearing impairment shown in his audiometric tests.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The issue of service connection for a left hand disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to November 3, 2014 due to his service-connected right knee disability and other disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met. However, the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA audiological testing results and SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the functional impairment attributable to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are related to his military service, with exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for colon cancer was dismissed as the Veteran requested a withdrawal of his appeal.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hearing loss was denied, with the effective date set at September 26, 2015.,The Veteran's earlier effective date claims for a combined 100 percent evaluation and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 were also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as well as a TDIU prior to April 30, 2018. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from July 15, 2009 to January 1, 2014. The claim for TDIU prior to July 15, 2009 on an extraschedular basis was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for shoulder disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the shoulder condition, as there was no limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. For the hearing loss claim, the evidence did not establish continuity of symptomatology or show it manifested within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 3, 2014, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a rating of 40% is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hip disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral ankle disability due to outstanding in-service medical records not obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are related to service exposure.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that VA did not receive the Veteran's claim prior to March 6, 2017.