Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran will need a new VA medical opinion that considers his service records, noise exposure reports, and post-service audiological testing.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Additional records are needed to determine the nature and etiology of bilateral hearing loss, back condition, sciatica condition, left hip condition, and acquired psychiatric condition (anxiety and depression).,VA examinations are required for a comprehensive evaluation of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the symptoms are not related to his military service or any in-service injury. The Board found that the Veteran does not have dementia or a MUCMI other than CFS, and his hearing loss and ear condition are not linked to his service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as well as his back disability, are remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran must be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hearing loss. His Social Security Administration records should also be obtained on remand.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted. The initial evaluations for right knee osteoarthritis and right ear hearing loss are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's BPPV is related to service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The VA examiner was requested to provide addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, hypertension, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder (degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome), right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and Crohn's disease have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has not met the threshold to establish current hearing loss 'disability' as required by VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was proximately due or aggravated by his previously service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and atrial fibrillation. The examiner is also asked to consider the medical significance of the Veteran's reported decrease in hearing after sustaining a stroke, as well as whether strokes can cause hearing loss.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran cancelling a scheduled VA audiological examination and requesting that it be rescheduled. The decision also notes that relevant VA and private treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.,An initial disability rating of 20 percent, but no greater, for DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS from June 30, 2014 is granted. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion and IVDS episodes.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is denied as the evidence does not support a rating greater than 20 percent.,An initial disability rating of 30 percent, but no greater, for posttraumatic headaches from June 30, 2014 is granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board found no basis to grant a higher rating based on his service-connected condition.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on service-connected conditions. The Board has determined that the claim must be remanded for extraschedular referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining claims of service connection for a back disability, sinus disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The decision does not establish a specific rating or effective date.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU claim prior to June 25, 2019 are both remanded due to incomplete audiometry results.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 18, 2018 for tinnitus is denied.,The claims for reopening of service connection for thyroid cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysm are granted.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for renal cancer, COPD, back injury with bilateral nerve impairment, acid reflux, IBS, left leg injury/muscle injury, right leg injury/muscle injury, shrapnel wounds on back and legs, disability of the sternum, soft tissue sarcoma, and diabetes mellitus type II are all denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted from January 18, 2018 to January 10, 2019 with a rating of 70 percent.