Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding a medical opinion on whether right ear hearing loss is related to service and whether it was aggravated by tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss of both ears due to a lack of clarity in previous medical opinions and the Veteran's inability to attend an examination. The case will be returned to the RO for clarification from the Veteran or his representative regarding their desire to withdraw the claim, or if not withdrawn, for addendum opinions without an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a determination on the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including evaluations and opinions regarding the Veteran's TBI, psychiatric disorders, ischemic heart disease, hearing loss, respiratory disorder, prostate disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and vertigo.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensable prior to March 18, 2022, and a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Board denied the claim as the criteria for a compensable disability rating have not been met at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for hearing loss, migraines, and TBI were denied. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use and unspecified depressive disorder was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 27, 2018 for the grant of service connection for migraines was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of a right ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient investigation of whether the Veteran's additional ear-related symptoms are compensable under relevant statutes or regulations. The appeal is now back with the Board for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, neck disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no evidence of current disabilities due to active service or any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and heart condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's lay testimony will be considered in conjunction with VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claims for right knee and bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the right knee claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there are no manifestations that would warrant a higher evaluation.,There is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. The Veteran does not have a disability for which he can receive service connection.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disability (depression).

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from May 19, 2012 onwards. The decision is denied for the period prior to May 19, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those for bilateral hearing loss, bladder cancer, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and lumbar spine disability. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active duty.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues on appeal due to incomplete service records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous post-service symptoms. The decision also grants new and material evidence to reopen the claim.