Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for Meniere's syndrome with hearing loss and tinnitus is granted prior to February 6, 2018. For the period since February 6, 2018, a separate 30 percent rating for peripheral vestibular disorder is granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, but the VA examination was canceled. The Board is remanding for a new VA opinion.

The Board has determined that service connection for hypertension is not warranted as there is no diagnosis of hypertension in the record.,The nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back condition to include degenerative arthritis of the spine with sciatica, and headaches to include tension headaches and as secondary to service connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus (claimed as migraine headaches) are unclear due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran must be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination.,The Board has determined that service connection for headaches is not warranted as there is no diagnosis of a chronic condition in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at a noncompensable level (10%) since June 2015. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his skin disabilities, as the current VA opinions are inadequate. The Board also finds that service connection should be reopened on new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for left knee condition as it is proximately due to a service-connected back condition. The claim for service connection for epididymitis remains pending and requires additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met during either period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to a period of active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Diverticulitis) has been remanded due to lack of adjudication on this issue.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and right ear hearing loss. The claims are currently pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cirrhosis of the liver, and TDIU due to additional development being needed. The issues are related as they involve the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's dates of active duty service, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The RO is instructed to obtain a memorandum detailing these periods and then request an addendum opinion from a clinician to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing sensitivity is significantly better in the left ear when compared to the right ear and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, recurrent headache disability, and gastrointestinal disability are remanded due to inadequate evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar cyst and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing the Veteran had these conditions during or proximate to the pendency of his claims.,Service connection was also remanded for left arm disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the remaining claims of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD, IBS, low back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise to support these conditions as being related to the Veteran's service-connected Meniere's Syndrome.

The Board has denied service connection for hernia disorder, bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these disorders.