Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (APD) and a right ankle condition are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition and for referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for an opinion regarding extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was granted a 10 percent rating from February 21, 2017 to May 3, 2018. The Veteran's temporomandibular disorder with residuals of fracture of mandible was denied any higher than the current 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the right ear hearing loss claim remains unresolved.,Service connection was granted for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular rating, and there was insufficient information to determine eligibility for TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gout, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded as the prior VA examination report relied on was flawed.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further evaluation. TDIU is also remanded as it has been raised in the context of this appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA hearing examination to address the entire record, including the Veteran's lay statement and medical articles submitted by his representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of reliable VA audiological examination results, and the Veteran's representative requested a new examination. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome have all been granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service, particularly given the Veteran's military exposure to noise and sun exposure. Service connection is granted based on presumptive service connection for CFS due to his Persian Gulf service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss began during or is related to service.,Service connection for periodontal disease (claimed as gum disorder) for compensation purposes is denied because it is not considered a compensable disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not support a finding that his headaches began during or are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current level of hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral leg disability and hypertension were remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic sinus disorder, neck disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and his TDIU prior to March 28, 2018 were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a worsening of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded the issue of a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 23, 2020; and in excess of 10 percent, thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by light sensitivity, bilateral hearing loss, and memory loss (manifested by ADHD) as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's military service.,No compensable rating was granted for TBI, migraine headaches, or anxiety disorder.