Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and she is assigned a separate initial disability rating of 10 percent for her painful right upper chest scar. Her bilateral hearing loss claim is denied, and her migraine headaches are granted with an initial disability rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for right thumb disability, scars associated with the right thumb disability, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for hyperacusis (which may be relevant to hearing loss).

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 7, 2002 for the grants of service connection for PTSD, a lumbar spine condition, hypertension, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on evidence that suggests VA received the Veteran's claim in September or October 2002, despite no record of it being submitted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, osteoarthritis of both lower legs, testicular cancer, skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all remanded. The Board acknowledges the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty service but finds insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of TDIU prior to March 25, 2019. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU due to unemployability, as well as the claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss is rated noncompensable (zero percent), while his sleep apnea remains undiagnosed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient explanation of a VA opinion and the need for a new examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence is unclear and inconclusive regarding whether the Veteran had hearing loss prior to service, or if it was related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his testimony regarding difficulty understanding words without hearing aids.

The Veteran's initial claim for an evaluation of bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the Board found that a noncompensable rating is appropriate. The case regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate previous opinions and a need for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether they are well-grounded. The claim of type II diabetes mellitus is granted as new and material evidence was received. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is also granted as new and material evidence was received. However, the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a left ankle disability, and bilateral flat feet are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for residuals of TBI has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss, have precluded him from engaging in gainful employment prior to May 4, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 40 percent since November 5, 2021.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss can be adjudicated. The decision on these issues is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of broken left foot due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be reviewed again without reopening them.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining authorization for release of non-VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor ankylosis of either knee. Therefore, he does not qualify for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance with adaptive equipment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability in either ear that meets VA compensation criteria. The right shoulder claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.,Service connection is not granted for a right shoulder disability as there is insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed condition to military service.