Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed as these conditions were already granted in August 2020.,Prior to December 10, 2019, the Veteran was assigned a non-compensable rating for her right and left heel spurs. After that date, she is assigned a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (MDD), right knee strain and osteoarthritis, left knee strain and osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are based on direct evidence of a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by him and a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not obtaining SSA records. The VA hearing loss claim is also remanded as there was no VA examination provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by him and a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not obtaining SSA records. The VA hearing loss claim is also remanded as there was no VA examination provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety with panic disorder and dysthymic depression), finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claim for a skin condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from April 15, 2021 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hairy cell leukemia is not rated as permanent and total disability, and his secondary service connection claims for various conditions are also denied.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appeal is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted with an effective date of July 30, 2003. The appeal related to the October 1972 rating decision regarding tinnitus and its noncompensable rating.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by him and a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not obtaining SSA records. The VA hearing loss claim is also remanded as there was no VA examination provided.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's low back disability is diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, which the Board finds to have started during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to grant these claims at this time.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disorder are related to his military service. However, the claim for posttraumatic stress disorder remains pending as the in-service sexual trauma has not been confirmed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to worsening symptoms since his last VA examination. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA audiometric examination, and the TDIU claim must be reconsidered in light of any new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, tinnitus, and shoulder disability were dismissed. The claim for jaw condition was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Bilateral hearing loss was not found as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for vision problems, and service connection for a seizure condition due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to July 19, 2017 for the grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss has been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. The appeals for initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for hypertension are REMANDED.