Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The decision also reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the appellant, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left forearm condition and left ulnar neuropathy are granted, while the initial compensable rating for left elbow scar and bilateral hearing loss is denied. The appeal regarding service connection for residuals of lip/facial cancer, right hip condition, right lower extremity neuropathy, and effective date earlier than October 11, 2018 for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for an updated audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is not related to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not due to military noise exposure. The claim was remanded multiple times and an addendum opinion was provided which concluded that the current right ear hearing loss is not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 2, 2021 and from April 2, 2021 was denied. The evidence did not show that the Veteran's hearing acuity more closely approximated levels required for an increased rating.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation from August 25, 2010 until his death on December 16, 2015.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claims of service connection for SLE, COPD, and rhinitis/sinusitis are reopened due to new evidence. Osteoporosis is granted as a separate condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from August 14, 2021. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to February 8, 2017 and from February 8, 2017 to August 14, 2021.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the nature, onset and etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss due to inadequate VA examination in the previous case. The examiner must consider the lay evidence regarding noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, so the cases are dismissed.

Coronary artery disease has been granted service connection effective December 30, 2015.,Service connection for depression and anxiety has been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The appeals for various ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to September 17, 2019, and ratings in excess of 20 percent from September 17, 2019, to November 16, 2019, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his period of service.,The Veteran's right arm, left arm, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right leg, and left leg disabilities are not related to his period of service.