Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of extraschedular criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically whether they can be classified as residuals of organic disease or injury, and their impact on locomotion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with right first metatarsophalangeal joint traumatic arthritis, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and other conditions, are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as they do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to notify him of scheduled VA examinations and his homelessness. The cases are now returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to noise during his active duty and ACDUTRA periods.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, do not preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board denied the claim of entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to a failure to ensure that VA had satisfied its duty to assist in obtaining outstanding private treatment records from Dr. J., the Veteran's primary care provider.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of hearing loss since service separation are presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically related to service. The examiner is requested to review all available records and provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hearing loss began during service or is related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's disabilities are at least as likely as not related to military noise exposure in service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's right hip disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and right ear hearing loss disability claims are being returned to the AOJ for additional review.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 6, 2018, was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and did not manifest within one year of separation. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability (previously characterized as sciatica) has been reopened, and the case is being remanded to further develop evidence related to his Army Reserve and National Guard service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the evidence being in equipoise regarding their onset during active duty.

Your appeals for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for BPH and bilateral hearing loss are also being considered.