Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD have been granted service connection.,An increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination report.,Service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and respiratory condition are remanded as no VA examination was provided.,Bruxism secondary to TBI is also remanded.,Right shoulder disability and low back disability ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to December 23, 2019 and at a 40 percent rating thereafter. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of a current disability, and found that any potential hearing impairment did not meet VA criteria.,The Board granted service connection for hemorrhoids, finding that they began during active service and are related to in-service symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it related to noise exposure in wartime service. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition within one year of separation from service or otherwise linked to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of audiometric testing.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The claims are now pending for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA otolaryngologist.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for hypertension, epilepsy, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran's active duty includes service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for hearing loss, residuals of a breast reduction, urticaria (urticaria), right knee disability, hemorrhoids, and acrophobia. The claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus and erectile dysfunction are service-connected. The right ear hearing loss disability is remanded for further examination, while the left ear hearing loss disability prior to October 14, 2014, is granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted with effective dates of November 22, 2011. Service connection for anxiety disorder is also granted as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and right wrist strain have been remanded for further examination.,Service connection for vertigo with bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as the Veteran has provided new evidence since his last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right thumb disability, broken right wrist and residuals, low back condition, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability were not conducted as per the prior remand instructions. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, thus his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent prior to August 24, 2020 and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,PTSD with chronic sleep impairment was initially rated at 30 percent in February 2018 and increased to 50 percent in March 2018. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 7, 2020 is being remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities render him bedridden or helpless as needed for regular aid and assistance.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the claim for service connection for degenerative changes in the right knee. The Veteran's current claims are pending.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to concerns about the validity of his audiometric test results.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his hearing loss was caused by noise exposure during service. The appeal was not about service connection for a specific condition but rather about reopening and granting the original denial of service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence and a need for an addendum opinion.