Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection and an initial disability rating of 50% for bilateral hearing loss (specifically left ear). The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its May 2019 decision, which relied on an April 2017 VA medical examination. The examiner's opinion was based on a 2006 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report that found no sufficient basis for delayed-onset hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure and military service, respectively.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and his PTSD rating is increased to 70%. Other issues remain pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a relationship between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal on the issues of bilateral hearing loss and ulcerative colitis, which were dismissed as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, including a lack of specific audiometric test results. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The lung disease claim has been remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peptic ulcer as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination in determining their etiology.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, hand conditions, and right knee disability due to incomplete VA records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence for his right knee claim.

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 causally related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of coronary artery disease, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal for TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from January 3, 2019 to August 1, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found the Veteran unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his coronary artery disease. However, the Veteran's combined disability rating after August 1, 2019 did not meet the criteria for TDIU under the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right hand injury is granted as the evidence supports that he incurred such an injury during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA and continues to have residual symptoms.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no current disability meeting VA criteria. The Veteran reported noise exposure in service, but his audiometric test results did not indicate a hearing loss disability at any time during service or within one year of separation.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as he has provided credible testimony regarding the onset and persistence of symptoms during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than Level II hearing loss in the left and right ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.