Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as she withdrew these claims. The claim for service connection for a foot disorder is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.,Service connection was established for left ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss did not originate in service or within one year of discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is being remanded for left lower extremity numbness, left upper extremity numbness, right lower extremity numbness, and right upper extremity numbness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to incomplete development, including a need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as totally disabling with special monthly compensation starting from August 22, 2019. However, his PTSD does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to service-connected left ear hearing loss. However, the claim for right ear hearing loss remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The issues of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, left arm numbness, and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's personality disorder and low sex drive claims are withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's balance issue claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is remanded as VA records need to be obtained and a medical opinion provided regarding its onset and relationship to service.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his diabetes mellitus claim.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim is withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's narcolepsy claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's insomnia claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his back and left knee disability claims.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim.,The Veteran's back disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's left knee disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical questions and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his combined rating is at least 70%.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the cases of hypothyroidism and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and a right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is presumed to have current disabilities, but his service connection claims are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if his tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 10, 2021 was denied. For the period from November 10, 2021 onwards, his disability rating was increased to 10 percent and is still in effect.

The Board has found that further development of the medical evidence is required to determine if an earlier effective date prior to April 26, 2017 for the increased evaluation of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent are warranted.