Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, and thus remands the case for further action.

The appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was not shown to be related to service, and the Board found that his current hearing loss is more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. Additional development, including securing medical records and clarifying test methods used by his private audiologist, will be conducted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a TBI and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for right eye condition have been dismissed. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder are remanded due to lack of updated evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the June 2012 rating decision.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep disturbance and bilateral knee condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current disability is directly related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating as his pure tone thresholds do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's left foot laceration status post artery repair with residuals is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum available under DC 5284. The Board finds no basis to assign a higher rating based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's left foot neuropathy disability warrants a separate 20 percent rating as it manifests as incomplete moderate paralysis of the left lower extremity.,The Veteran's left foot scar disability is rated at noncompensable, but the Board finds that one or two scars are painful and warrant a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a bladder tumor and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service exposure.,Service connection was established based on direct evidence of the conditions rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides or noise.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is now established for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically failure to obtain and associate with the record certain medical records from his Reserve Component service, Social Security Administration disability benefits, and treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations for psychiatric and hearing loss issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to a duty to assist error. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, coronary artery disease (CAD), and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The CAD rating has been increased to 60 percent effective October 10, 2020, for the period prior to that date, and a 50 percent rating is assigned for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, which was diagnosed as sensorineural but questioned for validity. The examiner is asked to clarify whether the Veteran had actual hearing loss and if it is related to service, including noise exposure.