Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they are now moot.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD) have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for these conditions based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, PTSD, and major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The claim for service connection for BHL was denied due to insufficient evidence of hearing loss meeting VA disability compensation criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as to a reduction in rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss because the AOJ has not yet issued a final rating action.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding initial compensable disability ratings for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence submitted since the April 2010 decision is not relevant to the issues.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective March 15, 2021. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that his major depressive disorder has precluded substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been readjudicated due to new evidence submitted after the July 2020 denial.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and no current diagnosis related to service.,Service connection for LLE numbness is denied because there is no current diagnosis of numbness at any time during the appeal period.,Service connection for RLE numbness is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis of numbness at any time during the appeal period.,Service connection for LUE numbness is denied as there is no current diagnosis of numbness at any time during the appeal period.,Service connection for RUE numbness is denied because there is no current diagnosis of numbness at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure are remanded for further development.

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

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is denied. The appeals pertaining to the Veteran's back condition and bilateral hearing loss claims must be remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically his claim that it is related to in-service combat noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it had clinical onset following his exposure to harmful noise levels during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss have been denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction has been remanded. His claims for increased ratings for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities have also been remanded.,The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding his right ear hearing loss and thus, the case was remanded for an addendum opinion. The diabetes mellitus claim has been remanded due to a lack of recent examination. Finally, both peripheral vascular disease claims have also been remanded as new examinations are needed.,The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding his right ear hearing loss and thus, the case was remanded for an addendum opinion. The diabetes mellitus claim has been remanded due to a lack of recent examination. Finally, both peripheral vascular disease claims have also been remanded as new examinations are needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his right ring finger scar was initially rated at ten percent from July 13, 2021. Both conditions are denied.,For the period prior to July 13, 2021, the Veteran's right ring finger scar was not painful or unstable, resulting in a noncompensable rating. From July 13, 2021 onwards, it is rated at ten percent due to pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is associated with his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board partially granted the Veteran's Motion to Vacate, vacating the denial of an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 2, 2017.,The criteria for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 2, 2017 have not been met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory disability, and a right hand disability. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims for prior to August 23, 2018, were denied as his unemployability was not solely due to service-connected disabilities.