Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment warranted such a rating.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran experienced continuity of symptoms related to his military service and granting him the benefit of the doubt.

The Board has granted service connection for hiatal hernia and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability in either condition. For tinnitus specifically, the Board determined there was no credible evidence of its onset during service or within one year after separation.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's claims of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and lumbar spine disability due to conflicting evidence and testimony.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is dismissed.,Service connection for eczema has been granted, effective February 18, 2022.

The Veteran is granted a schedular TDIU effective July 18, 2016. The Board also referred the claim to the Director for extraschedular consideration prior to that date.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression, and insomnia are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal of service connection for left ear hearing loss. Service connection is granted for lumbar spine condition, but the claims for headaches, IBS, a left knee condition, and bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve pain are remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in a previous opinion regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss. The Veteran needs another opinion on whether her current hearing loss is related to service, including considering evidence of prior noise exposure and surgery for an acoustic neuroma.

The Veteran's right knee impairment (instability) prior to September 21, 2015 is rated at 10 percent and not higher.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for a low back disorder, left ankle disorder, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy/tremors, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy/tremors, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy/tremors is remanded due to outstanding medical records and further evaluation being necessary.

The Veteran's diabetes is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is approximately balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability that began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc changes, skin disease, and chronic fatigue are all inextricably intertwined.

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

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings and lack of consideration of certain separation examination results.