Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during service and has continued since then. The Board found that the evidence supports this finding, including the Veteran's consistent report of hearing loss symptoms in and since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance/housebound status, finding that his service-connected disabilities alone do not render him bedridden or in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometric testing records, and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for COPD.

The Board has dismissed the claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria beyond the period from September 29, 2015, to January 1, 2016. The remaining issues have been remanded and will be addressed in a future decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a headache disability.,There was no clear evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from June 27, 2007 to May 14, 2008.

Your appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bronchitis have been dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for a lumbar spine disability is denied because there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the required duration.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain, guarding, muscle spasms, or other factors.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, to include as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (hearing loss, tinnitus, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood) have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and her symptoms are more likely related to psoriatic arthritis, which she is already service connected for.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability, does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for hearing loss is remanded due to the absence of specific audiogram results from VA treatment records dated December 2010, December 2014, and May 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. A rating of 10 percent has been granted retroactively effective July 28, 2014.

The Veteran's right and left foot pes cavus are granted service connection, as the evidence shows they began during active service. However, his bilateral hearing loss is not found to be related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim requires further development and a new VA examination to determine its current severity.