Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria, including due to lack of permanent housebound status.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues. The Board also noted that new VA examinations are needed for some of the disabilities on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and to obtain updated treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, bilateral leg disability (including as secondary to service-connected disabilities), and left ankle disability (including as secondary to service-connected disabilities) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations and possibly more private medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 40 percent rating prior to October 9, 2020 and denied since that date.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is related to his in-service injury, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it requires a remand.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for scars of the right knee and left thigh, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and recurring ear infections. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right-ear hearing loss disability. The examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's MOS and exposure to inservice noise, specifically including his report of noise exposure as a right-handed shooter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss did not manifest during or within one year of service and was not related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service due to noise exposure. The claims were reopened based on new evidence submitted since the previous final denial.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection.,Service connection for the right foot disability is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for the left knee condition is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for the right knee condition is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for the foot fungus/skin condition is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for lung condition (to include pneumonia and/or bronchitis) is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is remanded. The issue of service connection for a left leg condition, as secondary to the service-connected right ankle disability, is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or auditory damage sufficient to cause these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability had its onset in, or is otherwise related to, his active military service.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted. An initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 4, 2019 and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from November 4, 2019 are denied. A TDIU based on PTSD as well as a separate 60 percent rating for diabetic nephropathy is granted from May 24, 2018 to January 30, 2019. SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted from May 24, 2018 to January 30, 2019.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the complexity of the medical issues and the need for a clear separation between service-connected and nonservice-connected conditions. The Veteran's hearing loss is being evaluated, along with his vertigo.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for dermatophytosis pedis, head trauma with headaches, upper back injury, lower back injury, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for a right pulmonary nodule was denied as his lung condition had no significant effect on his pulmonary function and he has not required any medication or oxygen therapy to treat it.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right wrist scapholunate dislocation was denied as the evidence did not show favorable or unfavorable ankylosis, and the range of motion tests showed no limitation that would warrant such a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 13, 2016. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether he was precluded from maintaining gainful occupation due to his hearing loss and tinnitus.