Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for initial evaluations of left ear hearing loss and migraine headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus disability and right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during active service.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was found to be related to his military service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim on an extraschedular basis was denied as his service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not render him unemployable due to the impact of his disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, migraine headaches, and vertigo due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously-denied claims for right knee DJD, rhinitis (claimed as sinus problems), skin disorder, bilateral hearing loss, high cholesterol, prostate condition, urinary incontinence, high blood pressure, and residuals of TBI is dismissed.,The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously-denied claim for left knee DJD, headaches, sleep apnea, and ED is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of left-ear hearing loss and a condition claimed as otitis media, including TM perforation and monomeric TM. The Veteran's in-service diagnosis of 'deafness, bilateral' is noted but not addressed by the VA opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not met the criteria for a higher disability rating, as it produces hearing impairment levels no worse than XI in his right ear and II in his left ear. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the Board finds that further examination is needed to determine if his current hearing loss is related to in-service perforation of his left tympanic membrane and/or pneumonia.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as 10 percent prior to March 27, 2018 and 60 percent from November 19, 2020 onwards.,Heart condition service connection is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, finding them service-connected.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, thrombocytopenia, and respiratory disability (asbestosis) are all granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance are being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability (claimed as collapsed left lung), cardiovascular disability (claimed as high blood pressure and increased heart rate), right knee disability, left knee disability, left chest scar, and unspecified depressive disorder.,The Veteran's claims for these conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and a right fourth finger disability have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a sleep disability and hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of onset during service or within a year after separation from service. The VA examiner concluded that the current disabilities are not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for low back disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss as they are not related to active duty service.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective December 6, 2019. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and other specified anxiety disorder are related to his employment difficulties.