Hearing loss decisions — 2022

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a lost sense of smell is granted.,Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted.,The Veteran's hypertension and renal cell carcinoma are remanded for further review.,The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma may be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to potential new diagnoses or evidence not previously considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to his acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches secondary to PTSD, heart disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's subjective reports of in-service noise exposure and subsequent hearing loss are credible. The evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's hearing loss began during service.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The character of discharge from service is not considered a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, left knee limitation of extension, right ankle arthritis, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 29, 2016. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including exposure to noise. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA examinations and further development regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his left shoulder disability and bilateral ankle disabilities. The Veteran is seeking a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for prostate cancer/prostate condition. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is presumed, but further examination is needed to determine if his current prostate cancer is related.,Service connection for colon cancer is also granted based on presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, a VA examination is required to assess the relationship between the Veteran's current condition and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service. The Veteran must be provided with a new VA examination to determine if he currently has a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and whether it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for gastrointestinal disability, right ear hearing loss, and foot disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The gastrointestinal claim has reopened based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, residuals of benign tongue growth removal, elevated creatinine kinase, bilateral hearing loss, umbilical hernia, and erectile dysfunction are all granted service connection. The rating for the bilateral hearing loss is increased to 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea due to conflicting evidence and lack of a clear determination on these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinea pedis, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, costochondritis, and vasomotor rhinitis were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for these conditions. Service connection was not granted for tinea pedis due to lack of in-service manifestation or relationship to service. A 10 percent rating for hypertension was granted based on diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication. Bilateral hearing loss and costochondritis were denied as there was no evidence of the required manifestations. Vasomotor rhinitis was denied due to lack of nasal polyps, obstruction, or other specified conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Before January 29, 2016, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. After this date, it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating prior to March 19, 2019 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent beginning March 19, 2019 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for residuals, shrapnel wound, left shoulder region and upper arm area, right hip/thigh area, and right leg/ankle area are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right ulnar nerve peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Veteran reported noise exposure during service but his STRs did not show any hearing issues at discharge. Post-service medical opinions concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely due to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for a skin disability due to herbicide exposure. The case is being returned for further development.