Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The claim for TDIU prior to May 11, 2009, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for new examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not have its onset in service, was not related to noise exposure during service, and is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is found to have clearly and unmistakably preexisted service but no aggravation was found. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also being examined.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 50 percent since February 13, 2018. The Board denied an increased rating as the audiometric results did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding increased ratings for several disabilities and service connection claims, including for headaches, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, a left knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PFB have been denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA definition of a hearing loss disability.,For his right shoulder, knee, ankle, and foot disorders, unspecified circulation disorder, and scalp disorder (previously claimed as alopecia), the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has previously denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets VA criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of a recent VA examination. A new examination is required to assess the current severity of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches is granted. However, the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his right ankle disability remains denied.,Service connection for left lower extremity amputation, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches are all established by evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death. The appeal is now closed without prejudice, and the case will be dismissed from the Board's docket.

The Board granted service connection for shin splints and increased the rating to 10 percent. The claims for concussion, nerve damage with numbness as residual to jaw fracture, bilateral hearing loss, and migraines were denied. Service connection for insomnia was also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the claims for left and right upper body shrapnel residuals are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient reasoning in the VA examiners' opinions.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability but granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they have been granted. The back disability appeal is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, and TDIU have been reopened. The claim for hepatitis C has been granted, and the claim for TDIU is granted with a combined rating of 60 percent from January 20, 2009.