Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to new medical studies referenced in the Appellate Brief. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim will be reviewed again with consideration of these studies.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hip disability, lumbar spine disability, and lower extremity neurological disability due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure and underwater diving experience are being considered.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss in her right ear, and therefore, service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied. The left ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including for addendum opinions and VA examinations to address the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The rating for prostate cancer has been increased to 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including a reported incident where he was shot over five times with a shotgun near his face. As such, service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left arm numbness. The evidence does not show a current disability that meets VA compensation criteria for hearing loss, and there is no persuasive medical opinion linking the Veteran's symptoms to his in-service noise exposure or diabetes.,For the left arm numbness claim, the Board found insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection due to diabetes mellitus. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome was not aggravated by his diabetes and provided clear explanations for their opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for this condition is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back and cervical spine disorders due to insufficient medical opinions addressing potential in-service causation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been granted, with the PTSD receiving an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of separation from service and there was no evidence of noise exposure or continuity of symptoms. The medical evidence does not support a finding that the hearing loss began in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior remand directives and additional development is needed, including an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, right knee condition (to include as secondary to left knee condition), and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for reopening of his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The Board also found that both conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, higher ratings for GERD and left knee disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and alcoholic neuropathy are rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of claim. The other issues have been addressed as per the decision.