Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for dental trauma and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence and testimony from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the appeal for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issues related to DEA benefits and SMC based on deafness are also inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or significant threshold shifts during service. The VA examiner concluded that current bilateral hearing loss is not causally related to military service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis of the patellofemoral compartment is granted as service-connected.,For the period prior to October 29, 2019, the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating. From October 29, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's right shoulder disability meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating.,For the period from October 29, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's left shoulder disability meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during active service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, rheumatoid arthritis, blood clot in the lungs, blood clot in veins, and muscle inflammation are granted service connection. However, his duodenal ulcer does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of current disability, as his speech recognition scores did not meet the required criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heartburn, low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will provide additional opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as he does not have a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 25, 2015. The TDIU claim is referred to the Compensation Service Director for consideration of an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, and his right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy prior to December 6, 2018 was also granted a 40% rating. The Veteran's right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy since December 6, 2018 is denied any increase in rating beyond the current 40%. A TDIU was granted effective June 20, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of vertigo and headaches, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a higher rating now or at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a TDIU prior to August 22, 2018 due to the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a lumbar spine disability, and service connection for a cervical spine disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to compensation based on the current disabilities.