Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to exposure to acoustic trauma during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, colon disability, skin disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence. A new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in the August 2021 decision, specifically addressing the February 2009 VA examination report and the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran's left lung disorder and left ankle disorder is remanded due to additional evidence needing consideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected. The respiratory disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection and there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD is granted, and he is now eligible for a TDIU effective August 1, 2019. However, the Board denied his request for an earlier effective date for the TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of August 7, 2017. His eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also granted as of this date.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss, as there was a duty to assist error in the original decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and military service.

The Veteran's spouse, the caregiver, is found to be unable to complete caregiver training within 90 days of applying for PCAFC benefits. The claim is therefore remanded due to a lack of completion of required caregiver training.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current hearing impairment and his military service.

The Board has denied the readjudication of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as no new and relevant evidence was presented to support the claim.

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

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate this matter as the claimant is deceased.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted his claim for individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims had its onset during service and has been recurrent since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 and TDIU are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain relevant treatment records and provide an adequate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and duty-to-assist error regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.