Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU prior to February 19, 2015 due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was reduced to noncompensable from 10 percent, but the rating is restored. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance regarding their onset during service. The claims were reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is related to exposure to hazardous noise during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to service connection and increased ratings, except for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD from August 30, 2013 onward. The Veteran was also granted TDIU effective January 6, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be returned for further investigation and an opinion from a medical examiner.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and the reopening of service connection claims for gastrointestinal disability (GERD) due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The other issues are related to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty.,Service connection has also been granted for allergic rhinitis, but the rating assigned is only 10%.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but the hearing loss case is remanded due to inconsistencies in audiometric testing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure, while his right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no persuasive evidence to support these conditions began during or as a result of his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for degenerative vitreous was denied. The claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on CUE in the April 2003 rating decision were denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prior to May 26, 2015 was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish he was entitled to SMC at any rate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability meeting VA criteria for these conditions. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any current symptoms and military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck condition and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for compliance with the Board's directives.