Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied his claim for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left ear hearing loss and bilateral hearing loss prior to October 1, 2019, and on and after that date was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a compensable rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back disability and right knee degenerative joint disease, have significantly impaired him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment consistent with his prior education and experience. The Board has determined that a TDIU is warranted for the period from November 23, 2004 to March 6, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service, and the Veteran's claim is based on noise exposure in his MOS. The November 2020 examiner concluded that the right ear hearing loss is less likely than not caused by or related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's other claimed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's hearing impairment was no worse than Level I in his right ear and Level VI in his left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the Board is remanding these issues due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, b-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease are granted. However, his claim for service connection for leukemia is denied due to lack of a diagnosis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and granted entitlement to service connection. The issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen his right shoulder disability claim remains pending, as does the issue of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vertigo and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's vertigo. The claims are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current tinnitus disorder which had its onset during his active duty. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported symptoms are consistent with his military service and there is no evidence of pre-service hearing loss. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of a current disability.

The Veteran's ITP is granted a 70% rating, but service connection for bilateral hearing loss and neck disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bradycardia, hypertensive heart disease, ischemic heart disease, and restless leg syndrome have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as new evidence has reopened the claim but no definitive opinion was provided regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, DJD of the lumbar spine, and a left knee disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran's current hearing loss was not shown to be related to his active service, including noise exposure in Vietnam.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for various conditions and ratings, as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and a left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,The initial rating for tinea versicolor remains at 10 percent, despite the Veteran's contention that it warrants a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for hearing loss, which was not fully resolved.