Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating of all conditions does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The conditions are deemed to have their onset in service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no etiological relationship between the origin of these disabilities and military service.

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection and new and material evidence claims due to the Veteran's death. The appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to incomplete examination and need for an etiological opinion regarding any hearing loss shown during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and a separate rating for tinnitus in October 1971, finding that there was no evidence of brain trauma required under Diagnostic Code 8045.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and residuals of a pilonidal cyst, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, skin disability other than a pilonidal cyst, and back disability.,Service connection was established for tinnitus due to exposure to noise during service. Residuals of the pilonidal cyst were also granted as it had its onset during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of service connection for a left knee condition is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection and increased rating are not addressed as the appeal is closed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation between May 20, 2009 and April 2, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional evidence needs to be considered and the claims for service connection are being remanded. The Veteran's hearing loss, lower back, upper extremity neuropathy, and hypertension disabilities are all under consideration.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the appeal for a compensable rating is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected and has granted a grant of service connection. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied, but remanded due to lack of VA clinical records. The issue of an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left and right great toe cold injuries, left knee strain, right knee tendonitis, and lumbosacral spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their onset during service or causation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his psychiatric condition, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral eye disability, bilateral knee condition, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.,Bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or related to the Veteran's military service.

Service connection is granted for hepatitis C. Service connection is denied for diabetes, migraine headaches, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, and right leg disability.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosis or treatment of the claimed conditions within one year after separation from service. The Board finds that these claims are not supported by competent evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's hearing loss to his death or contributing to his dementia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate etiology opinion and requires a new addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.