Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent each for service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease and service-connected left knee instability, as well as an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The RO is instructed to schedule VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back condition due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

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

The Veteran's claims for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for hypertension. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back condition, and right knee condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, chronic headaches, left ear hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, left elbow disability, middle back disability, low back disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dysentery, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to incomplete records from his National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of bilateral hearing loss is denied prior to March 8, 2016. From March 8, 2016, a 30% evaluation is granted. The case regarding the right wrist disorder is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, low back disability (including radiculopathy), left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for low back disability, service connection for left shoulder disability, and service connection for right shoulder disability are all remanded.

Service connection for pituitary macroadenoma and bilateral hearing loss is granted.,An effective date prior to June 12, 2018, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for lupus (claimed as due to herbicide exposure) and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Board will review the case and consider all new evidence before making a decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that there is a causal relationship between her in-service noise exposure and her current bilateral hearing loss. As such, the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability and right ear hearing loss are service-connected. However, his claim for sleep apnea is remanded as there was insufficient evidence to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further examination and updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of right little finger injury and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo further examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at zero percent prior to September 9, 2020 and at ten percent thereafter. The Board found no evidence of a worsening of the disability earlier in the appeal period.,Service connection for COPD was denied as there is no persuasive evidence that the current condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and a lack of a new examination. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion from a VA otolaryngologist.

The Veteran's worsened left ear hearing loss was caused by a VA-contracted surgeon performing tympanostomy with tube placement surgery at a non-VA facility in January 2010, which resulted in an unforeseeable event (ear drum perforation and conductive hearing loss). The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation beginning January 3, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a pre-existing condition aggravated by such exposure. The Board also found that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stiff neck disorder, bilateral foot disorder with swelling and pain, tinea pedis, hypertension, heart disorder (enlarged heart and coronary artery disease), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of the claimed conditions.