Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right and left big toe joint disabilities, head injury residuals, osteoarthritis of the right hip with limited extension, internal hemorrhoids, peripheral neuropathy of the right toes, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2016. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee, left knee, and right hip disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues including the initial rating for headache syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, hypertension, and a TDIU prior to April 13, 2018. Additional evidence is needed in some cases.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability.

The Board has ordered a new examination to assess the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the validity of the audiometric test results provided in a previous VA audiological evaluation. Another examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure. The claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and essential tremor have been remanded due to outstanding medical records.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on evidence showing a link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with dysthymic disorder, effective January 24, 2012.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's current noncompensable rating remains in effect.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected, while hypertension remains denied due to lack of new material evidence. The Veteran is also awarded a 20% rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service due to credible statements of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and requires additional medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss, thoracic spine disability, cervical spine condition, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for a respiratory disorder, left hip disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.,Tinnitus was not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss from March 10, 2021 onward. The Veteran's hearing was found to be worse than at the time of his January 2020 VA examination and no evidence suggests improvement.

The Veteran's loss of smell is not service-connected as it did not originate during active duty and there is no evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is also not service-connected, with the examiner opining that it was less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.