Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or caused by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the relationship between current hearing loss and tinnitus and military service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, except for the period prior to September 1, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran had worked in a protected work environment since September 1, 2015.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The left shoulder disability is remanded for further examination, the acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded with new stressors considered, and the sinus condition is remanded for clarification of diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis and entitlement to an extraschedular rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus (type II), and skin condition has been granted.,The claim of service connection for an eating disorder is denied.

The Veteran's meniscal tear of the left knee is granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective October 4, 2016. The Veteran's hearing loss from February 10, 2017 is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation due to the worsening of his bilateral hearing loss, which impacts his ability to work. Additionally, a TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss rating claim.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a cholecystectomy has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, PTSD due to MST, residuals of a broken nose, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted effective July 18, 2014. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of reopening service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability, a bilateral hand disability, and hepatitis C due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent evaluation throughout the appeal period, which is the maximum rating authorized for tinnitus under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.,The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and contends that his current hearing loss was caused by in-service exposure to excessive noise. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the current hearing loss disability is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.

The Board denied service connection for a brain injury, finding that the Veteran's claim is not supported by evidence of in-service injury or aggravation. The appeal was also denied for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to multiple disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the case for recurrent lumbar spine disability is remanded for further evaluation.