Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for a psychiatric condition other than PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, heart condition, and hypertension. The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided are inadequate to address these claims.,Specifically, the examination reports do not provide sufficient rationale regarding whether the Veteran’s current conditions are related to his military service or if they were aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 12, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss worsened from December 1, 2016 and he is now entitled to a 90% rating for this condition effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may impact other claims.

The Veteran's claim for left knee calcific tendinitis, infrapatellar tendon was reopened and granted. Tinnitus and anxiety disorder were also granted.,Bilateral hearing loss, right and left knee disorders (including right knee posttraumatic residual degenerative joint disease), thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and headaches (claimed as cephalgia) are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure during combat service in Korea is etiologically related to his current disability. The effective date and rating will be determined upon implementation of this decision.

The Board has determined that the VA examination opinions are inadequate and remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for PTSD and other conditions, due to his death.

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

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and sleep apnea. The claim of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to include as secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded, and the increased rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection was not established for obstructive sleep apnea.,There is no evidence of a current disability in the case of bilateral hearing loss, as all VA audiological examinations found normal hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset during his military service. The decision is based on credible lay evidence and medical findings.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while his claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions. The case is now pending for further development and an additional etiology opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bruxism for further review.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are believed to be related to noise exposure during active service.,Service connection is established based on the presumption that certain diseases may develop due to in-service noise exposure.