Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for hypertension has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The Veteran had cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity in proximity to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,Service connection is denied for a left arm disability other than cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, a left hand disability other than cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, a right arm disability, and a right hand disability. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, DM with erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and headaches, were denied. The noncompensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was maintained.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, so the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for tinnitus has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an award of a compensable rating for hearing loss or a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has found the VA's decision to deny PCAFC benefits was inadequate and remanded for an updated medical review. The case is now back with the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, as it corresponded to no greater than Level I in the left ear. For right ear hearing loss, the Board concluded there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection due to lack of continuity of symptoms since discharge.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic symptoms of these conditions during or immediately after service, and there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, residuals of status post right orchiectomy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the in-service noise exposure could not be verified.,The Veteran's DIC claims under both 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were also denied due to lack of evidence showing that his death was caused by VA care or treatment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of onset or causation during service.,The Veteran's acne does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to superficial nature and less than 40 percent involvement on face and neck.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated by a qualified medical examiner to determine their combined effects on his ability to work.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and joint pain of the upper extremities as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets VA's criteria for a hearing loss or arthritis disability, and the Veteran's claims are not supported by medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while alopecia areata is denied. The Veteran's hypertension is granted secondary to a depressive disorder.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for PTSD. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is reopened, but remanded for additional examination and opinion. The claims for IBS, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which is presumed to be related to in-service noise exposure.

Service connection for hypertension is granted due to herbicide exposure. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet VA criteria for a service connection.,Service connection is granted for migraine headaches, with evidence at least in equipoise regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, including in-service noise exposure, and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 26, 2010 for hearing loss was granted.,An increased rating of 50 percent for PTSD prior to June 1, 2012 was granted.,Increased ratings were denied for PTSD from June 1, 2012 to March 14, 2017 and from March 15, 2017 onwards.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 13, 2017 was granted.,Increased ratings were denied for bilateral hearing loss from March 13, 2017 onwards.,Service connection for various disabilities including back disability, left leg and foot disabilities, right leg and foot disabilities, as well as TDIU prior to March 13, 2017 was remanded.