Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are claimed to be related to service. The case will need to be reviewed with additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for Parkinson's disease, Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence received.,Service connection has been granted for Parkinson's disease, Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), and an acquired psychiatric disorder as due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to a low back disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding SSA records and provide an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in determining service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed by an otolaryngologist (ENT) to provide opinions on the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, including its relationship to periods of active duty training and any related conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further review due to potential missing evidence and need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss was denied, and the issue of left ear hearing loss is being remanded.,Service connection for PTSD was established based on a confirmed in-service stressor and current diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence in the record to determine if these conditions are related to his military service. The VA will need to obtain updated treatment records, schedule an addendum VA examination, and provide a more definitive opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection is denied for left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence regarding its aggravation during service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran did not have a current disability that meets VA's criteria for hearing loss, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his in-service noise exposure and any current hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service, and the claimant did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to noise exposure. The Board also found that the current hearing loss is less likely related to service.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was remanded as additional medical records are needed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bronchitis, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's hearing loss was not found to be present during service or at any time since service, while his bronchitis is considered a current disability that may have been caused by in-service exposure to fumes and dust.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinnitus was not shown during service and the weight of evidence does not support its onset or relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability, as well as his TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. The reasons include failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and lack of sufficient information regarding current severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, OSA, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, anosmia, and synovial cysts of the bilateral ring fingers are all found to have onset during his active duty service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of new evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiometric examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of valid audiological testing results. The Veteran is encouraged to participate in an upcoming VA examination.