Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his service-connected bilateral hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,A new VA examination and etiology opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran has tinnitus and its relationship to service, including herbicide exposure in Subic Bay and exposure at Camp Lejeune.,The AOJ is required to obtain an etiology opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to his time in service, specifically contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded to allow for a VA examination and consideration of whether his hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record since the last decision in 2017. The AOJ is instructed to consider this new evidence and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be causally related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right and left knee, hip, back, and psychiatric conditions. The cases are being returned to VA for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran sustained additional disabilities as a result of his March 1998 VA surgery, including right ear hearing loss and headaches. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to carelessness or negligence by VA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims for an increased rating for lung cancer and for service connection for skin cancer due to herbicide exposure have been remanded.

The VA denied the Veteran's appeal because his Form 9, which he filed in response to a January 2016 rating decision, was not timely or properly accepted. The Board found that the Veteran did not file his substantive appeal within the required time frame and therefore the claims were considered final.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a disability in either ear for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with postoperative residuals from May 25, 2012 to May 12, 2021, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected NHL have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, right ear hearing loss, and ischemic heart disease have been granted. The claim for hypertension is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure and the Veteran's current hearing loss cannot be linked to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset and etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but remanded the issues of sleep apnea and right ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder for further development. The Veteran's claims are related to service exposure and functional impairment.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo new VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records are insufficient for determining his hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran did not have symptoms of hearing loss during service and that his current condition is more likely multifactorial, including aging and noise exposure outside of military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection on all issues, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and knee disabilities.