Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in the left ear, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as it did not undergo aggravation beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition worsened during active duty due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II) have been granted.,Service connection is established for IHD and DM II based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an increased rating for right inguinal hernia. Service connection for depressive disorder was dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that he meets the criteria for service connection based on noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), kidney disease, neurobehavioral effects, a bilateral leg disorder, respiratory condition, and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's dyspepsia was rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of considerable impairment of health.,For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran had Level I hearing in both ears and no exceptional pattern of hearing loss. The noncompensable rating under DC 6100 was upheld.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 1, 2017 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his active service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeals for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and skin cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to non-compliance with previous instructions. The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral eye disability, including vision loss and cataracts.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied an extraschedular rating.,The Veteran's low back disability was not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the claim for a TDIU from July 15, 2014 to June 10, 2015. The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety, depression, and a sleep disorder rated at least 70 percent combined with his migraine headaches rated 30 percent made him eligible for a TDIU effective June 10, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria of having at least one disability rated at 100 percent disabling and another disability or disabilities rated at a combined 60 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 0 percent, the lowest possible rating under VA regulations. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not incurred during service and is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's hypertension does not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's chronic low back strain with degenerative changes does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded for further review.,The Veteran's right knee disability prior to April 16, 2019, and after June 1, 2020, remains on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are associated with his in-service noise exposure. The initial ratings of 10% have been assigned.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease, finding that his conditions are related to his military service. The claim for service connection for mononucleosis is remanded due to a lack of VA examination or opinion.