Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (trauma and stressor-related disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension) do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The case is remanded to determine if an extraschedular TDIU should be assigned.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied. The reduction from a 10% rating to noncompensable effective January 6, 2009, was upheld.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including word finding difficulty and neurocognitive disorder, are found to be related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, active sarcoidosis, and right foot disability. The claims are being remanded for further development regarding hypertension and right hip disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to have been manifested by auditory acuity worse than level I in the right ear and level I in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further evidentiary development, specifically a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any currently endured hearing loss.

Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Prior to March 6, 2018, the disability rating remained at noncompensable (0%). From March 6, 2018 onwards, a 20% disability rating was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, left knee disability (secondary to right knee degenerative joint disease), and left hand arthritis. However, the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a more recent examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has continuously had symptoms of tinnitus since service and resolves all reasonable doubt in her favor, granting the claim. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The claim will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hearing loss claim is being remanded to obtain additional audiological testing results from February 2020.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided that a new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, which was remanded due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there was no diagnosis of hearing loss in the right ear as defined by VA, despite the Veteran's status as a combat veteran and his reported acoustic trauma during service.