Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was initially granted with a noncompensable rating. The Board denied the claim for an increased evaluation, finding that audiometric findings revealed no worse than Level III hearing in each ear for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during his active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing difficulties are at least as likely as not due to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as his disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. The Veteran was also found to have dementia that is presumed due to diabetes mellitus, but this condition is not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and has denied service connection for this condition. The remaining issues are remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is not enough evidence to support a link between his current hearing loss and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a brain tumor, seizures, and right ear hearing loss due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case requires further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for lipomas, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and any acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran should be provided with new VA examinations to determine the current severity and manifestations of his lipomas, as well as the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and GERD with hiatal hernia are remanded.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claims of service connection for prostate cancer, frequent urination, erectile dysfunction, and skin cancer are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service, no showing of a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and no continuity of symptomatology. The Board found that the Veteran did not have permanent threshold shifts during service and thus could not establish a nexus between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service. The right ear hearing loss case was denied as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type 2 as the evidence did not support a link to service.,Service connection was also denied for secondary conditions of hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 related to COPD.

The Board previously denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 30, 2018 and in excess of 10 percent disabling effective April 30, 2018. The case is being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.