Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosed disability of hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were granted effective September 16, 2013.,TDIU was also granted effective September 16, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and potential inextricably intertwined issues. The claims will be addressed again after additional development.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal in March 2022 after receiving a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to new evidence being added without AOJ review. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and special monthly pension are still under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is asked to consider the in-service audiograms and convert them to ISO-ANSI standards.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of second degree burns on the left hand is denied as there is no current disability related to these burns.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ichthyosis vulgaris prior to August 31, 2009, from August 31, 2009 prior to November 5, 2010, and from November 5, 2010 prior to February 1, 2017 is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there are issues regarding in-service noise exposure and a potential central processing auditory disorder (CAPD).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder of atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing the significance of his elevated blood pressure readings, lay history of headaches and dizziness, and arrhythmias in relation to his condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The Board finds a new examination necessary for the remaining issues due to lack of current evidence and conflicting opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral vascular disease, bilateral above-the-knee amputations, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The decision is based on the Veteran's active duty service aboard the U.S.S. Constellation within 12 nautical miles of the landmass of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record. The VA will conduct a new examination and obtain etiological opinions regarding the onset and relationship of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric results did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Persistent Depressive Disorder with Intermittent Major Depressive Episodes and Other Specified Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder, and Left Ear Hearing Loss have been granted. The service connection is presumed based on combat exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for both hearing loss and skin cancer are inadequate, and thus remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for clarification of duty status during a period of TDY.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right and left foot disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to incomplete verification of her Reserve service periods. The Board will consider the evidence in light of these new findings.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and hearing loss/tinnitus disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim due to an old VA examination, and also because TDIU prior to November 13, 2020 is inextricably intertwined with his hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment reports.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a right leg disorder (snake bite), low back disorder, gout, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, major depressive disorder, and migraine headaches. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year of discharge, and the Veteran's assertions regarding secondary service connection were not supported by medical evidence.