Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and for consideration of a new VA medical opinion regarding the likelihood that the Veteran's hearing loss may be linked to his established in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have both been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment or that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), diabetes, and both upper and lower extremity neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to herbicide agents and other chemicals.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and VA audiometric test results. The lung disorder case is also being examined to determine its relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is remanded for cardiac disability, hypertension, and residuals of typhoid fever.

The Veteran's left ear problems, including status post mastoidectomy left ear and associated hearing loss are granted. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's right knee problem and left knee problem are also remanded for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's sinus problems, to include chronic ethmoidal sinusitis, are remanded for an examination considering herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relation to his active-duty service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10% under Diagnostic Code 6260, which only allows a single evaluation for recurrent tinnitus. The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for further examination to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50 percent disabling from August 10, 2016 to December 15, 2021 and at 60 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, high blood pressure, and headaches have been remanded. The effective dates for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and unspecified anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD and mental conditions) are denied due to lack of prior unadjudicated claims. The effective date for hearing loss is denied as it was received within one year after separation from service.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection of right ear hearing loss, finding that it is not related to military noise exposure and does not have continuity since service.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, left shoulder strain, cervical strain, and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from November 25, 2009, to February 9, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, hypertension, atopic dermatitis, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and posttraumatic stress disorder are all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The request to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for hematuria was dismissed.,Service connection for hearing loss is granted and a rating will be assigned based on current evidence. The claim for Parkinson's disease (claimed as due to Camp Lejeune contaminated water) is also granted.,Remand is ordered for further action including TDIU determination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to inadequate examination and insufficient evidence. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The claims for left hip, shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for the lung disability (left pneumothorax) remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been evaluated as noncompensable. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating, and thus the issues of increased ratings are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.