Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its inception during active duty and is not otherwise causally related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was not a causal relationship between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing disability.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as his service-connected conditions did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance or substantial confinement to his dwelling.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not begin in service or within one year of discharge and is not related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for it. The cases of hearing loss, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss disability prior to December 9, 2019 was denied.,His gastrointestinal disability (esophagitis) due to Camp Lejeune exposure is remanded for further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding migraine headaches. The Veteran's claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss disability is granted, but the issues of right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for tinnitus and PTSD. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PFB, left knee disability, right knee disability, sleep apnea, IBS, acid reflux disability, hemorrhoids, low back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, pes planus, left foot disability, right foot disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The issues of service connection for these conditions are REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, and tremors (to include Parkinson's disease) are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability but has remanded the right ear hearing loss disability due to incomplete records and need for a medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and medical opinion due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 2, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of National Guard service records and an addendum medical opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent for the period from April 16, 2018 to April 24, 2021 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss as there is not sufficient evidence to link his current hearing loss to service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder was denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability. The claims for coronary artery disease and tinnitus are remanded as additional information is needed regarding the Veteran's military service.