Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, lichenoid dermatitis, bilateral cataracts, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 17, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 30 percent since April 15, 2022. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by puretone threshold averages and speech recognition scores corresponding to a noncompensable level of hearing loss in both ears, resulting in a denial of an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiac disability, including as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with service connection for a back disability and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant higher staged initial ratings during the rating period.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and the hearing loss disability issue is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board's decision has been reversed by the Court, and service connection for right ear hearing loss is now granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence of a stressor event related to the claimed in-service incidents.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition and updated VA treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to errors in the duty to assist. Specifically, the AOJ did not inform the Veteran that a VA Form 21-4142 was invalid and therefore unable to be processed. Additionally, new opinions are needed regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,A left ankle disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA standards.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to his conceded in-service hazardous noise exposure. Additional medical records need to be obtained from VA and private providers.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has worsened since the last VA examination in November 2018. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to outstanding records and the need for VA examinations. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension have been reopened.,However, the claims are still pending as they need further examination to determine if service connection can be established.

The Board has remanded the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete VA assistance in obtaining private treatment records and a need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus need to be remanded due to incomplete factual premises in previous opinions, particularly regarding noise exposure during active duty.