Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 5, 2019 was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Beginning August 5, 2019, he received a 20 percent rating based on exceptional hearing pattern.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 20 percent since November 7, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for costochondritis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to a lack of relevant SSA records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hearing loss began during or was aggravated by active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically audiometric test results from August 2012 to present stored in CPRS or VistA Imaging.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. His service-connected back disability has been granted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, but the Board has remanded for further clarification on whether diabetes contributed to his death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a left foot stress fracture and bilateral hearing loss disability as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a skin condition, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not related to combat exposure in Vietnam and/or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient audiometric testing results and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's active duty service and his current hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent sleep disability, recurrent headache disability, and left ear hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's current hearing loss is not considered service-connected as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and his separation examination showed normal hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for an effective date earlier than January 5, 2017 for a grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease with coronary artery disease. The rating for ischemic heart disease was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and more likely due to middle-ear pathology.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear conductive hearing loss. The claims of service connection for left knee disability and left ear conductive hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.