Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board vacated the November 18, 2021 decision denying service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The appeal is now considered reopened and will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of hearing impairment for VA disability purposes during his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have post-service noise exposure to support a direct service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has worsened since his last VA examination in December 2016, and he should be afforded a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection was granted for asthma, head laceration scar, an acquired psychiatric disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 13, 2021, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are granted service connection. The initial 100% rating for PTSD prior to August 10, 2016 is granted. Other conditions (TBI, migraine headaches, and hearing loss) are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as non-compensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied. The Veteran's occipital nerve injury residuals are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 14, 2019 and a higher rating thereafter is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disk syndrome prior to February 10, 2013 and a higher rating thereafter is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for intervertebral disk syndrome prior to July 25, 2008 is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability has been reopened based on new and material evidence.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is granted.,TDIU from February 14, 2019 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from January 1, 2017 through January 10, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of 40 percent for low back disability (exclusive of a period of temporary total rating from April 28, 2014 to April 30, 2015).

The Veteran's miscarriage during service was granted as service-connected, and she is also entitled to increased ratings for her right knee and back disabilities.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, bilateral ankles, and arthritis of his entire body. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address outstanding treatment records and obtain private medical records. The Veteran's claims for TBI residuals, vertigo, low back disability, shoulder disabilities, and heart disorder are also remanded for further examination and opinion.

Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's foot condition, presumed to be due to Gulf War exposure, is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for right ankle disability, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim is being returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection has been granted for pes planus and tinea pedis, but the other foot disorders are remanded.