Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure and therefore, service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne of the face, chloracne of the bilateral lower extremities, and psoriasis. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss with a zero percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to comply with a previous remand order, and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The claims of service connection for vision impairment, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right foot disability, and bilateral leg disability are not reopened. The claim of service connection for sleep disorder (OSA and/or insomnia) is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship with service. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded. The claim of service connection for hypotension is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated as noncompensable prior to January 13, 2020. The Board has remanded this issue for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 12, 2015.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are all granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and recurrent sleep disability (obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome) are remanded for further review. Further evaluation of the acquired bilateral eye disability is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of definitive studies on delayed onset hearing loss, and needs an addendum opinion from the December 2019 examiner.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for melanoma are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional audiometric testing results, which could support a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the initial opinion regarding his employability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current nature and etiology of his service-connected condition, including instability issues.,Bilateral knee conditions are also being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if they are related to the service-connected right ankle disability or if they were incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU effective September 30, 2021.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran had noise exposure during service, which likely caused his current conditions.

The Veteran's application for S-DVI was denied because he had a history of stroke, which is not considered 'good health' under VA standards. The Board has ordered remand to comply with the requirements set forth in the Veterans Benefits Manual (M29-1) and ensure proper notification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was not received within one year from the date of issuance of the August 2018 rating decision, which continued a noncompensable rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to service. The current evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service.