Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left ring finger fracture with hand arthritis is granted. The Veteran's initial rating higher than 10 percent for left LCL sprain with residual fibula fracture, bilateral hearing loss, unspecified anxiety disorder, and fatigue are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to evaluate his current extent of bilateral ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is also remanded for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a disability rating of 10% effective June 1, 2017. Prior to that date, the condition did not warrant any compensation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bladder condition is not service-connected, and the hearing loss claim requires further development. The decision on the hearing loss issue will be remanded for additional examination.

The Veteran's liver condition and residuals from the liver transplant are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also granted an initial rating of 20 percent for his left ankle disability, effective August 10, 2017.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals seeking service connection for a low back disability and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric condition including depression, and migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his hearing loss, as well as an addendum medical opinion to determine the nature, etiology, symptoms, and severity of his acquired psychiatric condition (including depression) and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to October 9, 2018 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 27, 2017. The Board has granted a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable, as his right ear has a maximum rating of Level VI and left ear has a maximum rating of Level I.,Service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder was granted based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure and head injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate previous VA opinion and other non-compliance with prior directives. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a higher rating based on his audiometric test results.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination due to potential increased symptomatology and the claim of an inaccurate previous VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of hands or feet, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of knees or hips. Therefore, the Veteran is denied financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has worsened since the last VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent, which is the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his condition did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.