Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and for a compensable disability rating for early bilateral eye cataracts. Additional VA medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a hearing disability during or within one year after service, and the VA examiner found that his current hearing loss is less likely related to service. ,The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as he has established a current disability (tinnitus) and noise exposure in service, but the VA examiner found it less likely than not associated with service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the issue of an effective date earlier than November 26, 2012, for service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Veteran's initial rating for tinnitus is denied as it is already at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines. The issues of hearing loss, dizziness/nausea/headaches secondary to tinnitus and/or hearing loss are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss can be adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he can perform the tasks required in sedentary employment with reasonable accommodations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and knee/hip conditions, prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and renal insufficiency is being remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracic spine, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension due to issues with obtaining SSA records, VA examinations not providing adequate reasons or bases, and unclear discussions of the presumption of soundness. The case is being returned to the Board for compliance with these directives.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and allergic rhinitis. The right ear hearing loss claim is being remanded due to a need for a more current VA examination. The left ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and allergic rhinitis claims are also being remanded as the Veteran testified that his conditions have worsened.

The Board denied a higher initial disability rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and hypertension, finding that these conditions manifested within one year of the Veteran's separation from active duty. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the knees. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent prior to January 22, 2020, and 30 percent since then. For his knee disabilities, a rating higher than 20 percent based on limitation of flexion has been granted for each knee up to April 30, 2021.

The Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as well as whether it is related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if he has current hearing loss that meets VA criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for post traumatic grand mal seizures, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and aid and attendance allowance for spouse as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The TDIU issue is remanded due to lack of employment history and need for further examination.