Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for a heart disorder, to include ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities remains remanded due to additional evidence needing consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing impairment did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation at any point during the appeals period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely related to his active duty service. However, it denied service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during his military service. The decision also reopened a previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The hearing loss disability and ingrown toenails are denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.,Service connection for bilateral ingrown toenails involving the big toe is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, left shoulder DJD, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral hearing loss due to unresolved issues.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for the claims of bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral disorder with degenerative joint disease, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his scar left index finger is currently rated as noncompensable after January 24, 2020.,The Veteran's scar left index finger was previously rated under diagnostic code 7805. After January 24, 2020, it is rated as 10 percent disabling under diagnostic code 7804.,Both ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including reopening a claim for bilateral hearing loss and increasing disability ratings for various hip and scar conditions. Additional records are needed from the Air Force Reserve.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased amount of DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1311(a)(2) is denied because he did not meet the criteria of having a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for at least eight years immediately preceding his death.

The Board has remanded the cases of right knee pain, bilateral hearing loss, and back disability due to inadequate medical examinations. The Veteran must be provided with new VA medical examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted, while service connection for hearing loss, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the knees, and psychiatric conditions. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions and determining if the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with an earlier remand directive and the adequacy of the January 2021 VA opinion in light of McCray v. Wilkie, 31 Vet. App. 243 (2019).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include eye disability, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety), back disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder; fibromyalgia; tinnitus; bilateral hearing loss; and eczema. The right knee and left knee disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing chronic symptoms during or within one year after service. The Veteran's assertions about noise exposure were not credible given his denial of these conditions in post-service medical records.