Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were addressed. The Veteran was granted a 50% rating for headaches, but denied an increased rating for PTSD. His right ear hearing loss claim was also denied. Other issues related to sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, GERD, and Gulf War illness were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as new and relevant evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, so the appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran claims his hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service, but the VA examiner found no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's service records show in-service noise exposure, but the current VA examiner did not consider this in their opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for a tinnitus disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss (BHL) disability due to inadequate VA nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted. The Veteran's claim for benign prostatic hypertrophy is dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that his hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating under VA's tables for rating hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot third metatarsal march fracture, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's allergy condition, lumbar disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to be related to his service. Service connection is granted for each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to service and onset therein due to injury from a convoy attack, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The left hip degenerative arthritis is not compensable, as the evidence does not show any functional loss due to pain or other symptoms. Ratings for right hip disability are also denied, with no limitation of extension found and flexion limited at 90 degrees. A chest scar has no associated underlying soft tissue damage or disabling effects. Bilateral hearing loss is also not compensable.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his employment and income throughout the appeals period. The Board will request this information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for GERD has been remanded due to lack of recent in-person examination documentation.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy claims are being remanded as the VA examinations were inadequate.,ED is secondary to service-connected conditions including medications taken for other disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a psychiatric disability, and sleep apnea is remanded.