Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and noncompensable bilateral hearing loss, have resulted in a TDIU from August 26, 2019. The Board also referred the issue of TDIU prior to August 26, 2019 for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated no worse than Level III for the left ear and Level II for the right ear prior to December 24, 2019. For the period beginning December 24, 2019, the Veteran's hearing loss was rated Level I for the right ear and Level IV for the left ear, but no worse than a 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss and that any current hearing loss did not manifest within one year after service. The Board also found that the Veteran's statements regarding his separation examination were inconsistent with the contemporaneous record.

The claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The remaining issues, including increased ratings and service connection claims, are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, low back disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are all denied.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, which began during service. The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and ankle disorders are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability in service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including photophobia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a lung condition, GERD, arthritis, hip and knee conditions, sexual arousal disorder, and Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 4, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not establish a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for additional medical opinions. The lumbosacral strain, left lung spontaneous pneumothorax, narcolepsy, and right wrist fracture status post fusion of the carpal bones require new examinations to determine their current levels of severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. Service connection was also granted for the left ear hearing loss, but denied for the right ear hearing loss. The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and left knee conditions required additional VA examination and remanded these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, and hypertrophy of nasal turbinates due to insufficient evidence or inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, stroke, brain tumor, epilepsy, cataracts, diverticulitis, and polyps have been denied. The Board has remanded these issues due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure and maintain gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity disorder, right upper extremity disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disability have been granted. The claim of entitlement to individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral knee and bilateral foot disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of diagnoses and failure to afford VA examinations. The claims are now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain missing VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and a low back disability are all being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was found to be at worst equivalent to Level I for the right ear and left ear prior to February 9, 2022. From February 9, 2022 onwards, it was equivalent to Level VI in the right ear and Level VII in the left ear. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disability and right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.