Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 0 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's skin condition is less likely than not related to his service, including herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for a skin condition is remanded for an addendum opinion.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's COPD is less likely than not related to his service, including herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for COPD is remanded for an addendum opinion.,The claims for service connection for a dental condition and eye condition are inextricably intertwined with the COPD claim and are also remanded for an addendum opinion.,The Veteran's current conditions of a dental condition and eye condition are secondary to his COPD, which is currently under review.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric test results do not meet the specific pure tone thresholds required for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasons and basis for denying a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The decision is based on an unclear VA medical opinion from March 2018, which indicated that the Veteran's worsening hearing could be attributed to his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss but also noted it was less likely due to noise exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues including the initial rating for right ear hearing loss, service connection for left and right ears' hearing loss, tinnitus, and TDIU. The Veteran's dental condition claim was previously denied due to lack of evidence of trauma or disease other than caries during service.

The Veteran's service connection for a back disability is granted. The rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 11, 2018 is denied and a 10% rating is granted from that date. The issue of TDIU prior to June 6, 2019 remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record, specifically regarding an addendum opinion from a VA otolaryngologist.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of addressing whether the April 2013 VA examiner's reliance on equivocal language in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report diminishes the probative value of the medical opinion. The Veteran testified that following an in-service noise exposure, he temporarily lost hearing but left ear hearing loss has persisted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is pending resolution.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and DEA benefits prior to March 1, 2011, finding that he was gainfully employed as a truck driver during this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's assertion that in-service hearing tests were unreliable.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which is related to in-service noise exposure. A new examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA outpatient records, specifically a missing audiogram from December 2012. The AOJ is instructed to obtain and include this document in the Veteran's file.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete or insufficient evidence, and for additional development of his medical records. The issues include service connection for herpes simplex, a bilateral foot disability, residuals of frostbite in both feet, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and service-connected left ear hearing loss. The claims are also reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was granted in December 2021, and this grant is considered a full grant of the benefit sought.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, bilateral leg numbness, and left ear hearing loss due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of proper rationale in existing evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since July 3, 2008. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective July 3, 2008 to April 11, 2011.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an initial compensable rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and an initial compensable rating for anal fissure.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability established, and the evidence does not show a hearing loss disability in the left ear.