Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted due to the reopening of his previous denied claim and the finding that his current diagnosis is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's sleep apnea does not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating as it does not result in chronic respiratory failure or require a tracheostomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as it is currently manifested by Level III hearing in the right ear.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition due to lack of evidence of current disability during or contemporary to the appeal period. The claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and hypertension are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to incomplete opinions and lack of medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to service-connected right ear hearing loss. The rating for his right ear hearing loss remains unchanged, and the issue of left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to loud noise during active duty and National Guard training.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a qualifying in-service stressor. The appeals for right hip, cervical spine, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed the case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability are not service-connected as they did not have their onset during or within one year after service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not incurred in service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but remanded for further examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or his service-connected conditions.

The Board has identified several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and remands them for further development. The Veteran is not seeking a rating increase or reopening of his hearing loss claim, but rather requests that his case be reviewed by the AOJ with the additional evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 1, 2014.