Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a 100% rating effective September 19, 2016. He also received SMC based on deafness in both ears and TDIU prior to September 19, 2016.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied prior to November 6, 2018. An initial 50 percent rating is granted beginning from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss began in service. Service connection was denied for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for obesity, sleep apnea, chronic heart failure, hypertension, and a scar on the upper left side of chest due to their potential secondary nature to service-connected disabilities. The right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims were remanded multiple times, but the RO granted service connection for a left ankle and left arm disability in April 2021.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it was not shown in service or for many years thereafter and is not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since March 1, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran's auditory acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection of anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right and left arm disabilities, as well as an increased rating for tinnitus and earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The claim for a left knee disability was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical history. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is not considered a disability for VA purposes, and service connection for bronchitis remains in dispute.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset in service and was not caused by any incident of service.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss does not meet the criteria for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's right hand disability (wrist) is currently rated at 10 percent based on painful motion, and no higher rating is granted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or dislocation of the semilunar cartilage.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but a higher rating in excess of 70 percent is denied due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, residuals of a left knee strain, and tinnitus due to conflicting medical opinions and insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to January 9, 2019 was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a compensable rating were not met at any time during the appeal period due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. For TDIU, the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria as of January 3, 2017, and there was no indication he was unemployable prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 26, 2014. The decision grants an extraschedular TDIU for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing impairment is at least as likely as not due to his military noise exposure.,The Board has also granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or related to the Veteran's military noise exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. Right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial compensable disability rating for his disabilities was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being necessary.