Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was not related to a service-connected disability or to service in any other way.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hearing loss was denied. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for acid reflux disorder, colon disorder, stomach disorder, and skin disorder (melanoma and associated scarring).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic noise exposure. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for temporary total ratings for his bilateral feet hammertoes and residual scars disabilities, and dental disability, are also denied due to lack of hospitalization or convalescence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for acne and granted it. The case of service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding noise exposure in-service. Service connection for hearing loss and lumbar spine disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is remanded for further review.,The Veteran's sleep disorder claim is denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to February 11, 2021. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent disabling beginning February 11, 2021.,The Veteran's right knee disability remains remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA hearing loss examination at the Lovelock Correctional Center, as previous attempts have not been successful.

The Veteran's right ear and bilateral hearing loss are rated as noncompensable prior to March 1, 2019, and on and after that date. The Board found the evidence did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no credible evidence of such conditions during or immediately following active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have BHL for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was granted, with the condition being secondary to his service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss was found to have been aggravated by service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is caused by his service-connected prostate cancer, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, hearing loss, and vertigo. The combined effect of these conditions renders him unable to obtain and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for coronary artery bypass graft residuals and bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim as of February 19, 2014, but not earlier, is granted. The Veteran's special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, being permanently housebound, or at the housebound rate prior to February 8, 2017, and from June 1, 2017, to December 22, 2019, is remanded.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted. However, the claims for both conditions were denied as there is no evidence linking them to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.,The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, non-compensable, service-connected ratings under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 is also remanded as it could significantly impact the decision on the left ear hearing loss issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service. Additional development, including a VA examination, is needed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service due to lack of a significant threshold shift between his entrance and separation examinations.