Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is service-connected as it was incurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clarity regarding the September 2017 private audiometric examination and whether it used the Maryland CNC speech test. The Veteran is asked to provide new authorizations for these records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to September 21, 2021 did not result in significant occupational and social impairment.,For the period beginning September 21, 2021, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not resulted in deficiencies in most areas such as work or family relations.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's dizziness and imbalance, which is currently considered a secondary issue to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and tension headaches.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted, and service connection for left ear hearing loss is also granted. The appeal for an initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus have been granted. The claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,The Board found the VA examinations insufficient to determine whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected bipolar disorder or obesity, as there were no adequate opinions provided.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, which may be related to in-service ear pathology including otitis externa and recurrent ear infections. The current claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable due to not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, heart condition, headaches, memory loss, respiratory condition, liver condition, muscle pain, and joint pain. The decision also remanded several other issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to discrepancies in audiometry results. Another remand is needed to address these issues and provide an updated evaluation of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, right ankle disability, and left hand disability. The evidence did not show the presence of a current disability in any of these areas.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error regarding his employability due to PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's employment issues related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol, bilateral hearing loss, and has remanded the remaining claims of service connection for basal cell carcinoma, psoriasis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation due to new evidence received.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded both claims due to a failure to obtain necessary medical opinions and examinations.

The Board found that the combined disability rating of 40 percent from March 29, 2012, through February 21, 2021, was properly calculated. The increase in rating for the right foot disability did not result in additional compensation from March 29, 2012, through February 21, 2021, and backpay is not warranted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is an approximate balance of evidence in favor of a nexus between his conceded hazardous noise exposure during service and his current disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his other service-connected disabilities (tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss) do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected due to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence supports that his current hearing loss began during service and has continued since separation.