Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss from May 13, 2017 to the present is denied as his disability does not warrant a higher than 50 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year after separation from service. The Board also found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection, while his right ear hearing loss and back disorder are denied. Service connection for type 2 diabetes, heart disorder (chest pain), stomach disorder (abdominal pain), and bilateral vision disorder (diabetic retinopathy and cataracts) is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the symptoms are adequately contemplated by the schedular rating criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The lumbar spine disability is remanded for further review.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 20, 2018 for a 20% rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim was treated as a request for an increased rating for his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and diabetes was granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is denied. Claims for service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and thoracolumbar spine disability, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 21, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than 40 percent prior to August 25, 2020, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.,Service connection for lung disability other than pharyngeal cancer (to include chronic bronchitis and emphysema) due to in-service herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable due to the presence of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment, resulting in Level I ratings for both ears. The Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was previously denied in a February 2015 rating decision. The Board has now reopened the claim due to new and material evidence, but remanded for further development as an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss. The examiner failed to consider in-service noise exposure and provided an opinion based on a lack of evidence, which is not sufficient.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for an increased rating for left elbow disability was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing acuity no worse than Level I in both ears, and the Board denied a compensable rating for her service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not eligible due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's hearing loss, specifically right ear hearing loss prior to March 13, 2015 and bilateral hearing loss thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it was caused by military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinion and potential delayed-onset hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants his claim for service connection.