Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's hypogeusia (loss of sense of taste) is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss and joint pain in the shoulders, wrists, ankles, and elbows are denied as not being related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability due to insufficient examination opinions and missing records.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there were no objective clinical findings to warrant a compensable disability rating prior to November 20, 2019 and the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to incomplete medical opinions and apparent contradictions in a previous study.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is attributable to service despite negative medical opinions. The decision also notes that there was no significant threshold shift during service and that noise exposure alone does not establish a nexus.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is granted. The TDIU rating claim is also granted as the Veteran meets the minimal schedular criteria with his current heart condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examination of record is inadequate for determining whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service. The examiner did not address the Veteran's lay assertions regarding in-service noise exposure and conceded service noise trauma, but did not reconcile this with previous findings or discuss any decreases in hearing during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is requesting new examinations to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss, scars, right wrist fracture, and right foot fractures.

The Veteran's hearing acuity was found to be within the parameters for a 0 percent rating prior to June 2, 2016 and from that date onward. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence of entitlement to an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric findings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss are remanded due to the need for further examination and review of records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence that the condition originated during or due to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including paramyoclonus multiplex with tonic-clonic seizures, have rendered him unemployable since June 3, 2019. TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for right ear hearing loss due to inconsistencies in previous evaluations and lack of a reasoned medical explanation regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied a compensable rating for bilateral (previously left ear) hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and granted service connection. The hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, resolving his appeal for a higher rating.,A scar on the right foot has been granted a 20 percent rating under DC 7804 due to pain and instability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and her service connection for migraine headaches was granted. The issue of TDIU is also remanded.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided. Her service connection for migraine headaches was granted as reasonable doubt was resolved in favor of the Veteran.