Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including allergic rhinitis, right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The remand includes obtaining missing service treatment records, VA treatment records, and a medical examination for the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for tinnitus, schizophrenia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The conditions are related to in-service exposure to noise and injury.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.,The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, right knee arthritis, left knee disability, right ear hearing loss, vertigo, and Raynaud's phenomena, by themselves, did not prevent him from establishing or maintaining gainful employment between September 9, 2013 and June 5, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete development of records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's high frequency sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to June 26, 2018 and at a 10% rating beginning on that date. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.,Service connection for residuals of a stroke is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and multiple myeloma due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen and establish service connection for right ear hearing loss was dismissed because the NOD was not timely filed within one year of the August 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran's hearing loss claim is being remanded due to the failure to attend a scheduled VA examination. The Board will provide another opportunity for an examination and review of his medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was characterized by no worse than level II in the right ear and level V in the left ear from September 6, 2022. The appeal is denied as his claim for a compensable rating prior to September 6, 2022 and in excess of 10 percent from that date has not been met.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder strain is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right shoulder disability due to potential issues with causation or aggravation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss due to missing scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran needs to be contacted to confirm his availability for these exams, which will help determine if he has any service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a back disorder, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to incomplete employment history and need for a combined effects opinion on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued since. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony of his onset of symptoms in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, middle ear condition of the right ear (otitis media), and tinnitus due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions.