Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis has been remanded due to the lack of a VA examination addressing his chest condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his preexisting left ear hearing loss was aggravated during service and that his right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to readjudicate the claims, but a new VA medical opinion is needed for the issues of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was received on March 17, 2022. The Board found that the effective date cannot be earlier than March 14, 2022 as no formal or informal claims were submitted prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding their relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis due to in-service asbestos exposure is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he was not found to be unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for residuals of right hand, middle finger injury is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and seizures are denied.,Left shin splints and right shin splints cases are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance were granted effective June 27, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities of depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss as of this date.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an effective date earlier than February 18, 2022 for the grant of a 100 percent rating for coronary artery disease and entitlement to a TDIU due to administrative errors. The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left ankle fracture is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims, including his statements about symptoms during service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations in the past. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death before the Board could hear his case. The claims for service connection and TDIU are moot as he died during the pendency of these appeals.

The Board found that the reduction from a 30 percent rating to a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was proper, as evidenced by improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is necessary and the case is remanded to ensure compliance with its prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and the case was remanded for further action.