Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable disability rating for TBI prior to October 15, 2020 were denied. From October 15, 2020, the Veteran was granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for his TBI.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remands and for further audiometric evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's back condition, headache condition, and stroke are denied as not being related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Board has found the evidence in approximate balance regarding whether his bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, headaches, hypertension, visual disorder, skin disorder, and respiratory disorder are related to service. These issues remain remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, heart disability, and vertigo due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The Board found that there was no current diagnosed condition for each issue.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is being remanded to allow the AOJ to consider newly received evidence in the first instance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his employment history and current mental health conditions do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA prior to November 17, 2016 are being remanded due to the overlap with other pending appeals.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, COPD, and MDD have been granted service connection. The hearing loss claim remains denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities is established based on in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's auditory processing disorder and its relation to his service. The Veteran is also entitled to a new VA examination for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for right hip, left hip, arthritis in multiple joints except hips, knees, and shoulders, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.,There is no medical evidence showing the Veteran has any current hip or joint disability, including arthritis. The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions were incurred during military service due to noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a recurrent gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 10 percent since July 2020. The Board found that the current rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record, which includes VA audiometric evaluations and testimony from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, and GERD claims. The issue of TDIU remains on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, as his symptoms have been continuous since service and he has provided credible testimony about noise exposure during service.