Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depression, tinnitus, prostate cancer residuals, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment for at least some portion of the relevant period. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a skin disability (claimed as malignant skin neoplasm) and hearing loss disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or within one year after service, and that current disabilities are not causally related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure, which is conceded, and his current symptoms are related to this exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to his combined rating and lack of total disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss and that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not rise to a level warranting a compensable rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease (CAD), and Parkinson's Disease are granted as they are presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's hearing loss is not considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

Service connection is granted for right knee condition, back condition, left lower extremity disability, and right lower extremity disability.,Service connection is denied for left knee condition. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding this issue during the hearing.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that his current condition is related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, while his bilateral hearing loss is not.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues related to his knee disabilities, OSA, GERD, back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral ankle disability, migraine headaches, and residuals of head injury due to incomplete records and the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to acoustic trauma sustained during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and schizoid personality disorder) are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.,The claim for brain damage is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted as they are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I under Table VI, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his hearing loss.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and a bilateral knee disorder. The case is now remanded to determine if VA examinations are needed.