Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's visual distortion disability and right ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or relationship to service. The nasal condition and hypertension issues are remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for tinnitus has already been granted, so the Veteran cannot be granted service connection for an eardrum disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The Board found that the current disabilities did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation based on VA's tables for rating hearing loss disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, and the claims for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability meets the requirements of VA regulations and that symptoms have been continuous since service separation. The decision also grants readjudication of the claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection, but the effective date for the increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's tension headaches were granted service connection and an effective date of November 14, 2016 is assigned.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to her active-duty service and has been granted.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, currently rated at 20 percent, requires further evaluation as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to her active-duty service and has been granted.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, currently rated at 20 percent, requires further evaluation as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of GERD is remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine if it arose during service or is otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of specific audiometric test scores in his most recent VA examination.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not have its onset during or within one year of his active-duty service and is not otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, stroke residuals, and depression. The issues have been remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in previous decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, right ankle injury, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to such service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss disorder is granted. The appeal is allowed to that extent only, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.