Hearing loss decisions — 2022

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

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent prior to June 21, 2016, and at 40 percent thereafter. His right ear otitis media has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's death and service connection claims due to an inability to retrieve documents submitted by the appellant. The appellant is given the opportunity to provide these documents in paper or readable CD format.

The Board dismissed the claims of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a foot disorder as they were already resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of dental trauma, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee injury, and right ankle injury has been granted. The claims are remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for further consideration by the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction as secondary to type 2 diabetes, bilateral hearing loss, a right knee disorder, a left knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service records show he served as a jet engine mechanic at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand. He contends that his exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange during this time is related to his current conditions, but there is no evidence of such exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service. The matter will be reviewed with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The TDIU claim is remanded.,PTSD was denied initially but reopened with new evidence; the current evidence supports service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.,Bilateral hearing loss was found to be incurred in service based on acoustic trauma exposure during active duty. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as it pertains to his ability to work due to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including earlier effective dates and increased ratings. The cause of death is also being reviewed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The matter will also be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for consideration of extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded due to the need for additional information regarding the Veteran's employment during the appeal period.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of arthritis, right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, or an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion provided were not substantially compliant with the remand directives, necessitating a new addendum opinion to address the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, nerve damage, and systemic arthritis have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is reopened but denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, which did not consider the Veteran's lay statements about his hearing loss since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is granted.,The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.