Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeals for tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and scar status-post removal of sebaceous cyst as the Veteran withdrew these claims. The hearing loss disability was denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied an increased rating from September 6, 2018 to January 27, 2021. For the period from January 27, 2021, a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss renders him unemployable prior to December 1, 2020. From December 1, 2020, his combined rating is insufficient for TDIU but he may be eligible due to the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disability are denied as there is no credible evidence of current disabilities. Erectile dysfunction is also granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that his current condition is not related to military service due to lack of significant shift in hearing acuity and no evidence of onset within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial compensable disability rating for inguinal hernia, as well as his other disabilities. The Veteran will be provided with another VA examination and asked to submit any additional evidence he may have.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's diminished hearing is related to his active duty service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the service connection claim for a back 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 Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of a 10% rating for right knee osteoarthritis. Other conditions and issues remained denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for Meniere's Syndrome and left ear hearing loss, as they need further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not meet the criteria to establish service connection due to a lack of evidence showing in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and service. The Veteran's current disabilities were not shown to have manifested within one year of discharge from service or be otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's daughter, D.L., is being considered for recognition as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support before the age of 18. The claims for service connection and reopening are inextricably intertwined with this matter. Additional records from Nemours Health and private primary care physician need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and chronic recurring headaches, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date of this grant remains the date of receipt of the original claim in June 19, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions began during service and have been recurrent since then.