Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder and bilateral hearing loss do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it likely related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's employment and income since May 2013, as well as for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the right ear hearing loss. The left knee disorder is denied as not incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss from July 12, 2019 was denied. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 12, 2019 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, they need to obtain additional information about VA audiology records related to bilateral hearing loss and provide an addendum opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since June 1, 2009. The Board found that the current rating is adequate and did not warrant an increase in disability compensation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for lumbar spine disability. Bilateral hearing loss is considered a chronic disease under VA regulations, as evidenced by in-service records showing the Veteran had high frequency bilateral hearing loss prior to separation from active service. The Board found reasonable doubt regarding whether the current disability of lumbar spine disability was incurred during service due to flight deck duties and back pain noted in service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss originated during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral knee disorder, a back disorder, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.,Specifically, the VA examinations did not consider the Veteran's documented complaints or diagnoses during the appeals period and relied on incorrect premises in reaching their medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of an addendum VA medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was aggravated during active duty service.

The appeal seeking a higher rating for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine is dismissed.,A rating higher than 10 percent for limitation of extension of the left knee is denied.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,A rating higher than 10 percent for shrapnel wound scar of the upper left chest is denied.,A compensable rating for residual scars from right hip replacement and shrapnel wound scar is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because her substantive appeal was untimely filed, as she did not file a timely VA Form 9 within the 60-day period after receiving the October 2018 Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as the audiometric results did not meet the regulatory criteria for impaired hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and other conditions are service-connected. However, several issues related to knee conditions, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), phlebitis, bronchitis, undiagnosed illness, and fatigue have been remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's increased rating for PTSD from October 1, 2018 was denied as the severity of symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The initial non-compensable rating for hearing loss from August 29, 2018 was also denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since March 30, 2012. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on his current level of hearing impairment.