Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted due to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the severity of these conditions alone, as they meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for narcolepsy with cataplexy is denied as there is no current disability. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against this claim.,Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss due to aggravation during active duty, but not related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and skeletal arthritis all joints claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's GERD and erectile dysfunction claims are denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support their onset during service or being related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, depression, hypertension, bilateral eye conditions, bilateral hip condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral foot condition claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric results did not warrant a higher than noncompensable rating prior to March 22, 2021. From March 22, 2021, the Veteran's hearing loss warranted a 40 percent rating based on exceptional patterns of hearing impairment.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not have its onset during service and was not otherwise related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the decision on bilateral hearing loss is pending as it requires further examination and evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and because the Veteran's hearing loss may have developed after service, despite being within normal limits at entrance and discharge. The case is now back with the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology and onset of his condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The issues of service connection for a kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level I in the right ear and no worse than Level I in the left ear. The Board denied a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and left ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or was related to in-service noise exposure, and he failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to his military service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus, glioblastoma, and cause of death due to glioblastoma are granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidentiary development, specifically interpreting private audiometric test results in relation to VA audiological evaluation results.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for pulmonary disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient examination reports and opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with additional development including examinations and opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.