Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hypertension and right ear hearing loss are being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for various disability ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a significant threshold shift in his hearing during service and concluding that his current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of a higher rating for his right knee condition and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining supplemental VA opinions on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, but he was not in need of nursing home care or permanent housebound status. He is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance by another.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for thyroid condition, skin condition, and throat condition. The Veteran's claims for increased rating for urethral papilloma and entitlement to TDIU are denied.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further VA audiological evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating for his left ear hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee limitation of extension, or right knee meniscal tear. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for right wrist ganglion cyst.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and a respiratory disorder including chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient evidence or incomplete examinations. The Veteran is entitled to further examination and opinion regarding his service connection claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been assigned a noncompensable rating since March 20, 2008. The Board denied entitlement to a compensable rating for the disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on credible testimony from the Veteran regarding noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases in its decision, including a failure to define 'sedentary' employment. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities may preclude physical or sedentary employment.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological examinations are inadequate and requires a new opinion to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active-duty service, specifically due to exposure to hazardous noises.

The Veteran's service connection claims for major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and several other conditions are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for knee, shoulder, headache, sleep apnea, and diabetes disorders are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals regarding tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.