Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for extraschedular consideration. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet schedular criteria for a TDIU, and thus referred the matter to VA's Director of Compensation Service for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and skin cancer due to inadequate medical opinions. The appeals are not about service connection at all, but rather about the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to new evidence received since his last VA Form 9. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service, specifically the conceded herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss (BHL) is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The claim will be further developed and a new medical opinion is required.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been denied. The Board found that the current noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is correct, and a higher disability rating for CAD status-post myocardial infarction is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, right knee condition, and low back condition. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and in-service noise exposure or other events.

The Veteran's left hand fracture, status post fusions of the 4th and 5th carpometacarpal joints is granted a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is also granted as of December 20, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for TBI and service connection for BHL are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss, higher initial ratings for cervical osteoarthritis (neck disability) and left ear hearing loss, tuberculosis, and a 70 percent rating for PTSD have been withdrawn. A 100 percent rating has been granted for PTSD from January 24, 2017, and TDIU prior to that date has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities in accordance with VA standards, and the conditions are not linked to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bladder cancer and kidney removal, have rendered him unemployable since May 1, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder, tinnitus, and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The appeals for service connection and rating of the Veteran's conditions have been dismissed. A 70 percent rating is granted for PTSD from May 23, 2012, and a TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning and reliance on an opinion that did not address potential contradictions in a study. The Veteran must be provided with another VA examination to consider delayed-onset hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and to consider an extraschedular argument for an increased rating. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need to seek out his private treatment records and VA Medical Center records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted, and he is now receiving a 70% disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied, but the issue remains pending. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also pending.