Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure during active duty. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted a 10% rating effective June 5, 2020. The left knee instability and dislocated semilunar cartilage are each granted a 30% rating effective June 5, 2020. The low back disability, right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy are all granted 40% ratings effective June 5, 2020.,TDIU from March 31, 2010 to April 6, 2015, and August 2, 2016 to July 5, 2017 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to show he was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to its onset during service and continued since.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for a lung condition is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or being related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's back injury claim is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, with a numeric designation of Level I in both ears. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran experienced noise exposure in service, which is conceded.,Service connection for a bilateral foot condition and right and left knee conditions are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss beginning January 3, 2019 is granted. The initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss from March 23, 2012 to August 30, 2013 is denied. Service connection for a heart disability including coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and anemia are all denied.

The Veteran's SMP benefits at the housebound rate are granted due to his single permanent disability rated 100 percent disabling and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more. However, SMP based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as there is no evidence showing he requires such assistance.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal due to the Veteran's death. The appellant does not have standing to continue the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to in-service noise exposure. The cases are being remanded because a new examination is needed for hearing loss and tinnitus, and a VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin condition (tinea cruris), and bilateral flat feet. The claim for right thumb disability is being remanded.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability or signs/symptoms associated with active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence added to his file and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been found to be so profound that they precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to April 29, 2013. The Board granted TDIU based on the findings of two vocational experts who considered his work history, education, and skills.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and prostate cancer are granted as service connected due to in-service exposure to acoustic trauma and herbicides, respectively.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as 20% disabling from February 21, 2019. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus should be remanded due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and he has had at least one major seizure per month over the last year, warranting a 100% rating for tonic-clonic seizures or grand mal epilepsy since September 14, 2019.