Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 60% from December 9, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right foot disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning June 6, 2011, based on the combined effects of his service-connected coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for accrued benefits and service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to inappropriately filed applications, and because these issues are intertwined.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinion and non-compliance with previous remands.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of noise exposure during service and the conditions did not manifest within one year post-service. The Board denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the service connection claims for colon cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities. Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to burn pits during his service at Camp Pendleton.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete audiometric testing and unclear etiology.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The evidence did not show a nexus between in-service noise exposure and the development of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current condition began during service and has been recurrent since then.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and ischemic heart disability are remanded for further development.

Your appeal for service connection has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support an increase in his current rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) are all granted. The right ear hearing loss is not service-connected due to pre-existing condition noted at entry into service, but aggravation during service is considered. Tinnitus and the psychiatric disabilities have been found to be related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disability. The claim for right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence. Service connection was denied for left shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The criteria for presumptive service connection were not met.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disorder, and right hip disorder due to insufficient evidence or lack of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide VA medical records, an audiological examination, and a physical examination.