Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and other conditions. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from March 18, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a right leg disorder.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims were not granted on a presumptive basis as there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after separation from service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral knee disorder due to the absence of current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent prior to June 18, 2020. From June 18, 2020, the rating was increased to 30 percent. The effective date for this increase is set as October 16, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for a statement of the case on issues related to service connection and initial ratings for certain disabilities, including those claimed as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The appellant is advised that she may submit additional evidence in connection with the AOJ's readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues has been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding no current diagnosis of such a disability.,Service connection was also denied for a chronic right knee disability due to lack of evidence showing the Veteran had such a condition during or within one year after service discharge.,Restless leg syndrome of the right lower extremity was not found to be related to service and thus, service connection was denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating prior to October 18, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The evidence shows a history of in-service noise exposure and continuous ringing in the ears since service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that new evidence received since the last denial supports reopening the claim. However, the Board found no evidence to support a finding that the appellant's current hearing loss disability began during his qualifying ACDUTRA period or was related to any injury or disease incurred or aggravated during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in a final rating decision. New evidence received since the denial, including VA and private treatment records, has reopened his claim but it remains denied as there is no evidence of noise exposure or other link to service.

The appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's headaches are granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected sinusitis. His left knee arthritis is granted on a direct basis, and his bilateral hearing loss remains at 0 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability due to conflicting audiometric findings. Further VA audiological evaluation is necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficiently documented attempts to obtain updated VA treatment records for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development and consideration, including the submission of a VA Form 21-8940 to evaluate his disability picture throughout the period on appeal. The RO must consider referral to the Director of Compensation Services for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's service records show he had normal hearing at the time of his induction, but may have experienced hearing loss in upper frequencies during service. His post-service VA treatment records indicate he has mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds that another medical opinion by an ENT specialist is needed to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded for further development.