Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right lower extremity neurological impairment and bilateral hearing loss disability due to inconsistencies in VA medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's service connection claim for right lower extremity neurological impairment is being reviewed, while his compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a broken septum and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to incomplete VA treatment records and a lack of VA examination in connection with these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings on several disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected low back condition and bilateral hearing loss are granted. Effective November 15, 2016, the Veteran is awarded a 30% disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding ratings for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the prerequisite disability ratings for a schedular total disability rating prior to April 28, 2017. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that his service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and upper respiratory infections, to include strep throat, due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disability. The claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's last VA hearing examination was in July 2014, and he testified that his bilateral hearing loss has worsened since then. The Board is remanding the case to schedule a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining clarification from a private audiologist and arranging for an updated VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if any current left hand disability is related to service, and to obtain a VA examination regarding bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, and a bilateral foot condition other than pes planus due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The cases are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board remands the cases for bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease (due to herbicide exposure), and hypertension.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its previous remand directives and has ordered the case to be remanded for an opinion from an independent medical expert regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to medication prescribed in the context of VA medical care.