Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 4, 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent from March 18, 2016 to November 4, 2019. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether a 20 percent rating is warranted for this period and granted an initial 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated at 20 percent, which is the minimum compensable rating. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his condition based on the VA examinations conducted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service. The claim will be reconsidered with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, migraine headaches, TBI, and left ear hearing loss. The claims for new and material evidence for sleep apnea, initial higher ratings for migraine headaches, and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss are all being reviewed due to recent developments in his case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, claimed as maculopathy, high cholesterol, and bilateral hearing loss is denied. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as 10 percent prior to October 24, 2019. Beginning on that date, the rating was increased to 20 percent.,Prior to October 24, 2019, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. From October 24, 2019 onwards, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10% prior to June 10, 2019 and then increased to 30% effective June 10, 2019. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's hearing test results and speech discrimination scores, requiring further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for TMD and bilateral hearing loss. The cases are not yet fully adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss began in service and continued thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for additional information from the Veteran's representative regarding prior cases that may have granted higher disability ratings based on significant audiogram discrepancies. The case will be returned for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further evaluation as his current treatment records and recent examination suggest a possible worsening of the condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no probative evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and/or a threshold shift noted at discharge from service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to noise during combat.,Tinnitus, which the Veteran testified he experienced since his time in Vietnam, was also granted service connection as it is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.