Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence indicating worsening of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss since his last VA examination in August 2019. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA audiology examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection and related issues due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for generalized arthritis of multiple joints, sleep apnea, and a bilateral hearing loss disability due to inadequate etiology opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease from September 6, 2011 to October 3, 2011 has been found to have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at a 10 percent rating from April 20, 2015 to August 25, 2016 and denied for any higher ratings thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a significant threshold shift from entrance to separation and that the VA examiners' opinions are adequate. The Veteran's contentions were addressed, but there are no competing positive nexus opinions of record.

The Board has remanded the cases of insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of hearing loss and has remanded it for further examination.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss, but the issue of higher evaluation for cervical spine degenerative arthritis remains remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to new and material evidence, but the case is remanded for further development including a medical opinion on etiology.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran died before a decision was made, and the case will be reactivated once the AOJ makes an initial substitution eligibility determination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination in the previous VA examination. The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is being remanded for a new examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of fractures of the third and fourth metatarsals of the right foot is granted, with a 10% rating effective from May 5, 2020.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss (right ear) is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss (left ear) is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to concerns about the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, requiring an additional VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, upper back condition, left knee condition, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.,There is no evidence of a direct relationship between any of these conditions and military service.