Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and whether it can be attributed to service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to active service, and it did not manifest within one year of service. The Board denies the claim for service connection.,The Veteran's current sleep disorder (other than sleep apnea) was not incurred in or related to active service. The Board also denies this claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to procedural errors and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2021. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of all his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion addressing whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of entitlement to a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's in-service audiograms and their conversion from ASA standards to ISO-ANSI. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is now pending.

The Board has dismissed the AMA appeals for service connection of various conditions, as it is a procedural defect due to improper docketing in the AMA system. The Legacy appeal remains active and will be adjudicated further.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, cataracts, neuropathy of the lower extremities, heart condition, hypertension, and kidney condition is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has dismissed the AMA appeals for service connection of various conditions, as it is a procedural defect due to improper docketing in the AMA system. The Legacy appeal remains active and will be adjudicated further.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in balance as to whether these conditions are related to service exposure. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service. The claim will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for chronic right knee strain. The Veteran's current disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and dismissed his claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to August 23, 2021 is remanded due to the inextricability with other pending claims. The Board will consider all issues after a decision on initial ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's reported in-service events and to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient credible medical evidence linking current hearing loss to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are not related to active service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct duty to assist errors and obtain new VA examinations for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.