Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and back disability. The heart disability claim remains denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not warrant a compensable or higher rating prior to March 15, 2022 and after March 15, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a significant threshold shift during his service and considering the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner's opinion was deemed more probative than the private doctor's opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence received after the previous remand. The claims for service connection and a compensable rating are pending.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to inadequate medical evidence provided in support of his claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and a right ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a heart disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has ordered a VA examination to address the etiology of his psychiatric disorder. The issues of right shoulder, left shoulder, right arm, left arm, right hip, and left hip degenerative arthritis are also remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded.,A VA examination or medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for an eye injury has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service exposure to noise.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable disability evaluation for left shoulder scars associated with chronic left shoulder strain have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to higher evaluations for chronic left shoulder strain, recurrent subluxation of scapulohumeral joint, and extension of temporary total disability evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rheumatism, arthritis, hearing loss, respiratory disability (pneumonia, pleural effusion, tuberculosis), atherosclerotic aorta, headaches, and anemia, finding no evidence of radiation exposure or other link to service.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus prior to January 25, 2021 is denied. An increased disability rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus effective January 25, 2021 is granted. Service connection for a back condition and a bilateral knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye open angle glaucoma, right ear hearing loss, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.,The Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty. However, exposure to Agent Orange does not constitute an 'injury' because it did not involve any application of external force or violence.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 9, 2017, through March 13, 2017. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU were met due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and right-hand disability due to new evidence indicating worsening of his conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for a back disorder secondary to bilateral pes planus is also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and progression of his foot condition during service.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for asbestosis is also remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that may be relevant to his case.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is also remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that may be relevant to his case.,The Veteran's claim for a heart disorder is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for stress fractures is also remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that may be relevant to his case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.