Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, ADHD). The Board also remanded her claims for service connection for right leg pain and weakness, left leg pain and weakness, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right hip condition, sinusitis, and lower back condition.,The Veteran's current bilateral leg pain and weakness are related to her service-connected left hip strain. The Veteran's current bilateral ankle conditions may be related to her active military service. Her current acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, ADHD) is likely related to her in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is presumed credible regarding his in-service noise exposure, but a VA examination is needed to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to obtain outstanding medical records. The Veteran's service treatment records documented normal hearing in both ears during service, but subsequent audiograms have revealed current hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as they are not severe enough to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder and left knee conditions. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective October 14, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered service-connected as it is related to his in-service exposure to noise from working on the flight line.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for such a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied, and the Board found that no earlier effective dates could be granted.,Issues related to asthma, COPD, heart condition, hemorrhoids, peripheral neuropathy, wrist condition, thumb fracture, lower extremity radiculopathy, upper extremity radiculopathy, forearm/elbow condition, and other conditions were also remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for acid reflux and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current level of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss disability and bilateral tinnitus due to potential errors in their adjudication. The case is being sent back for additional development, including addendum medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of authorization for private treatment records from Dr. F., and a need for a new VA examination to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's level of impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted on a direct basis. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss is considered a disability for VA purposes and has been present since service. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss began in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

Tinnitus and sinus disability, to include allergies, spine disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right leg disability (shin splints), and left leg disability (shin splints) have been granted service connection. Bilateral hearing loss has not been established as a disability for VA purposes.,The remaining issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability should be remanded due to the need for another VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, knee disabilities, and hand disabilities, are deemed to be of a nature and severity that preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.