Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with an effective date of October 29, 2018. The claim for a higher rating for the back disability has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to his military noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 17, 2018. Service connection for left ear hearing loss and stomach pain are denied. The issue of service connection for back pain, bilateral knee pain, and a bilateral toenail condition (onychomycosis) is remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability had its onset during active duty service and is etiologically related to military noise exposure. The left ear hearing loss claim must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions and initial disability ratings, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance due to his physical incapacity. The Board found that he met the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability but remanded the issue of service connection for left ear conductive hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's lung disability claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a lung disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is granted based on in-service noise exposure, but not related to service due to aggravation by post-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a liver disability.

The Veteran's TBI is granted, with the Board finding that his current symptoms are related to in-service head injuries.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss prior to July 19, 2021 is denied. From July 19, 2021 onwards, a disability rating of 10 percent is assigned.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active-duty service and granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for additional special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent since June 30, 2021. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities warrant remand for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss worsened during his military service and left ear hearing loss had its onset in service. The decision also grants service connection for left ear hearing loss as it is considered direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and persistent depressive disorder with insomnia have been found to preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, effective May 19, 2010. The right testicle atrophy, sleep apnea, syncope, and bilateral hearing loss are also service connected.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending and remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication, including issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) regarding the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for cervical spine disability. The issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the cervical spine and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are also remanded.