Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The issue of a compensable rating for his bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax is remanded due to new evidence suggesting worsening.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected, but his alcohol use disorder remains denied due to remission during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities were denied. His claim for a rating in excess of 10% for hypertension was also denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss because the Veteran's pre-existing disability did not worsen during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted. However, as the remaining service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for housebound status, the claim of entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiac condition and hearing loss were denied as there was no pending claim at the time of his death, and all benefits had been granted at maximum levels.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a right knee disorder during the July 2021 Board hearing.,The remaining issues of service connection for back disorder, left leg disorder, cervical disorder (to include as secondary to a back disorder), acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing further opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The issue of service connection for a respiratory condition, including asbestosis and asthma, is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's back disability characterized as chronic back pain with scoliosis.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as Level I, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided that the Appellant's right ear hearing loss is related to his service. The left hip and back disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no current diagnosis of hearing loss meeting VA criteria, despite noise exposure in service and a history of tinnitus.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.