Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was evaluated as level II, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reopening of his hearing loss and tinnitus claims has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with these matters as the Veteran has passed away.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral lower hernia, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, skeletal arthritis, sinus disorder, COPD, headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, bilateral eye disorder, erectile dysfunction, or asbestosis. The Board has also found that the Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are remanded due to outstanding in-service medical records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the current ratings of 50 percent for PTSD and noncompensable for bilateral hearing loss are appropriate based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's attorney waived his right to attorney fees for the April 2020 rating decision that granted service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome, major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensably disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for this condition.,The Veteran asserts service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. However, the AOJ has not attempted to verify his claimed herbicide exposure and thus remand is necessary to attempt verification of such exposure.,The Veteran asserts service connection for bilateral upper neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, herbicide exposure, and/or a lightning strike in service. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for bilateral lower neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, herbicide exposure, and/or a lightning strike in service. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for a stomach disability. The AOJ has not provided an opinion on this issue and thus remand is necessary.,The Veteran asserts service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran asserts service connection for a sleep disability (claimed as sleep apnea), to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability. Remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and low back disability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims prior to a decision being made.,Service connection has been granted for hemorrhoids. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied because it was not factually ascertainable that the disability increased in severity within one year of his April 15, 2020 claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it arose from his active duty service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded and will be considered on the merits.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have not rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience since April 7, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence shows that these conditions were incurred during military service due to acoustic trauma.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The Veteran is not required to pay any fees for this appeal as it is a remanded case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his right knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent rating from January 30, 2018.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The August 1994 denial of service connection was found to be final, but new evidence received since then raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for ASHD is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service, while his claim for bilateral hearing loss requires an addendum opinion.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the seventh cranial nerve deficit disability and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent from September 2, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active-duty service in Vietnam. His bilateral hearing loss began during or within one year of separation from service. Tinnitus also began during service.