Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted due to continuous post-service symptoms that can be attributed to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, specifically in-service noise exposure. A new VA opinion must be obtained addressing the conflicting findings of an IOM study.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been diagnosed under VA regulations, but the examiner suggests a new examination may show it is now considered a disability. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all nine issues is remanded due to incomplete factual predicates and the need for new VA opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30 percent from May 16, 2015 to March 30, 2018. The Board denied an increased rating for the period prior to and after these dates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, including as related to parachute jumping and noise exposure during military service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and ratings in excess of 20 percent, 30 percent, or compensable for various conditions. The RO granted service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to incomplete records. Specifically, the full results of the audiogram conducted in August 2013 need to be obtained from VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision finds that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. He is now receiving a 70 percent disability rating for his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with unspecified depressive disorder.,His total disability rating based on unemployability remains pending as the case has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding medical records, need for additional examinations, and the need to obtain a VA opinion regarding his diabetes mellitus.,The Board is requesting that all relevant treatment records be obtained, including those from Dr. S.A., as well as any other private care providers who may have treated the Veteran since March 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of adequate examinations and missing records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened, and a more recent VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting statements regarding noise exposure in service. The Veteran must provide corroborating evidence of his post-service work not involving excessive noise.

The Veteran's initial claim for hearing loss was granted, but the assigned noncompensable ratings were later remanded due to incomplete development. The Board has now remanded this issue.,The Veteran's back condition was also remanded with a request for additional examination and opinion regarding his current disability level.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss is not considered to have been aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 50 percent disabling prior to May 24, 2011, 20 percent disabling from May 24, 2011, and 70 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the claim for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee conditions, bilateral tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 28, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, tension headaches, cervical spine degenerative joint disease and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 26, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.