Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during or is otherwise related to his period of active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment from November 21, 2008 to March 6, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU rating during this period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability due to new evidence indicating worsening of the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service and no relationship to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not presumed to have been incurred within one year after discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the claim for traumatic brain injury due to in-service assault and head trauma.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back condition are all granted. The decision specifically mentions that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of a back condition related to his military service, including a fall during basic training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is also remanded for diabetes mellitus and arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims. The Board has also remanded several issues including PTSD, thoracolumbar spine strain, right shoulder rotator cuff strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with Osgood Schlatter's disease, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with Osgood Schlatter's disease, and TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran has a diagnosis of degenerative arthritis and DDD other than IVDS of the cervical spine, which he experienced symptoms since service. The issue was granted as direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to potential issues with the VA examiner's opinions regarding noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service acoustic trauma are credible and supporting continuity of symptoms since service. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and service treatment records regarding his hearing loss during service. A new VA opinion is needed to address these issues.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed and a remand is required to ensure the Veteran's appeal is properly processed. The AOJ must also schedule the Veteran for an audiological examination to assess his bilateral hearing loss disability, including its impact on his daily functioning and former occupation as a warehouseman.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of lumbar spine disorder and denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was not found to be related to his military service, while his bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as these conditions were already granted in a January 2022 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is as likely as not due to his military noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, Meniere's syndrome, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).