Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for coronary artery disease, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and failure to consider certain symptoms related to the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, left foot toenail fungus, right foot toenail fungus, sleep disorder, restless leg syndrome (RLS), left lower extremity neurological disability, respiratory disability, right hip disability, and bilateral knee disabilities have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA hearing loss rating schedule.,The Veteran's service-connected injuries from June 6, 2003 fall are not considered to be the cause of his current sleep disorder and other disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The Veteran's exercise-induced asthma was first diagnosed after service and is not linked to any aspect of her military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be established because the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of the decision.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his service-connected hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent, the lowest possible rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The issues of acquired psychiatric disability and right ear hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric testing did not show impairment to a level that would warrant a compensable VA disability rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, the Board dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to March 9, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the indication of worsening of his service-connected disability. A VA examination will be conducted to assess current severity and a retrospective medical opinion will also be provided.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 10 percent for mastoiditis and cholesteatoma of the left ear is granted, effective from March 6, 2011. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus is denied.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current disability picture does not meet the criteria for these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for pharyngeal cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to exposure to ionizing radiation during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination, failure to consider delayed onset, and lack of consideration of in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pre-service right ear hearing loss was aggravated by service. The issue will be referred back for further examination and opinion.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C due to the Veteran's own drug use during service. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for additional development.

The Board has found the previous VA examinations inadequate and remanded for further development, including a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.