Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder), and headaches.,However, the effective dates for these awards are not earlier than March 12, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss and right ear myringotomy residuals, status post otitis media.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing no significant change in his hearing acuity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, as evidenced by continuous symptoms since service and in-service noise exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 0 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran met the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hearing loss due to acoustic trauma in service, and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for his anterior trunk scar associated with residuals of gallbladder removal surgery.,The Board has determined that another opinion is necessary regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and military noise exposure. The VA examiner will be asked to address whether the threshold shifts during service constitute hearing loss or are related to the Veteran's current condition.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service-connected scar, lateral left thigh; left hip strain (based on thigh impairment); left hip strain (based on limitation of flexion); and bilateral hearing loss. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The veteran's hearing loss was not service-connected as it existed prior to enlistment and did not worsen during his short period of active duty. As a result, he does not meet the eligibility criteria for VA loan guaranty benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and organic heart disease have been granted. The rating for organic heart disease has been increased to 100 percent effective from September 22, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records and verification of his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to March 11, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder condition, headache condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar strain, and right knee condition due to insufficient evidence of service connection. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted. However, the decision to remand the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss requires further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed without prejudice. The Board finds that the Veteran's claims seeking service connection for chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, uterine fibroids with anemia, a right knee disorder, a left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a right hand and thumb disorder must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I in all audiometric tests conducted, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss were denied, and his subsequent increased evaluations were also denied by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but dismissed the claim for an increased rating for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his period of active service and granted service connection for this condition. The remaining issues, including chronic cough, bilateral hearing loss, and a lumbar spine disorder, are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension requires medication for continuous control and warrants a 10 percent rating. The Board has granted a higher 10 percent rating, but remanded due to worsening symptoms. Service connection claims are also remanded for VA opinions on the etiologies of back disability, neck disability, hearing loss, sleep apnea, prostate cancer, and PTSD.