Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to his death before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that mechanical application of the Rating Schedule to the audiometric findings established entitlement to a 40 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has found that the RO did not substantially comply with a previous remand directive and thus, this matter must be remanded for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development of issues including service connection for right leg/ankle, right knee, and left leg/ankle disabilities; increased rating for facial scars; and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) and hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear pain. Service connection for a right foot disability is also REMANDED.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for neck disability and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep disability, and right leg disability. Additional evidence is needed to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations, worsening symptoms, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's request to continue the appeal of service connection for a left hand disability and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus was withdrawn during the October 2021 Board hearing.,A claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, as new evidence related to current bilateral hearing loss has been submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, left knee condition, and right knee condition are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed as the April 2019 rating decision implicitly granted this condition.,Evidence received subsequent to the November 2013 denial of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been found new and material, thus reopening the claim. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to March 9, 2016 and remanded the issue of entitlement to a greater than 10 percent disability rating beginning March 9, 2016.,The case is being returned to the VA audiological examiner for an addendum opinion regarding the extent and severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to March 9, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues related to his service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee strain, and hypertension. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 6, 2017 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining employment.

The claim for service connection for residuals of rocket fragment to the left side of his head has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The effective date is not earlier than August 13, 2012.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of August 13, 2012. An increased rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.,Coronary artery disease (CAD) due to herbicide exposure has been granted. Service connection for hypertension (HTN) and other conditions have not yet been resolved.,Service connection for chronic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral elbow arthritis remains pending.,Total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding in-service noise exposure. The Veteran is also requested to provide any VA or non-VA healthcare providers who have treated him for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be causally related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability was not related to his military service or diabetes.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of low back pain and left ear hearing loss due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of current or past hearing loss sufficient for VA purposes.