Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected conditions on his employability. The Veteran is currently service connected for PTSD, right hip injuries, diabetes mellitus, type II, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically addressing his contention about the Kujawa study.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to noise exposure during active duty, with the Board finding that his current disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to September 30, 2011. The Board also found that he is entitled to initial ratings greater than 20 percent for his left knee disability and greater than 10 percent for his right knee disability prior to September 30, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, has rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since March 2, 2020. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of the claim.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with evidence indicating it started in service and continued.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or due to being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, finding that the combined evaluation of his conditions did not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU. The evidence showed he was capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment due to his work history and current ability to live independently.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hearing loss is denied as he does not have a diagnosed disability.,Service connection for IBS is also denied, as the Veteran has no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.,Prior to March 24, 2018, the Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the schedular criteria. After March 24, 2018, when he received a 100% disability rating for PTSD, the TDIU claim is moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss as he did not meet the definition of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or permanent threshold shifts during service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a nexus between military noise exposure and later development of hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and left ear hearing loss due to inadequate development. The case will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a compensable rating.,Service connection for skin cancer was also denied, with the Board finding no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's skin cancers and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The evidence shows the Veteran experienced hearing loss during his active duty service and continued to experience symptoms after separation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for vertigo due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was not secondary to a service-connected disability, was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had chloracne at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had bilateral tinea pedis at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that a right cheek laceration scar began during active service, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The cerebrovascular accident is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.