Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's back disorder. The bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that these conditions are causally related to conceded in-service noise exposure.

The Board has withdrawn the issues of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to new evidence received in March 2021. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress, moderate-severe with psychotic features, anxiety, dysthymic disorder, and an adjustment disorder, has been granted. The issues of service connection for migraines, low back disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claims for a back disability and right upper extremity neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of substantial compliance with previous orders. The Veteran's representative argues that his hearing loss is a case of delayed onset, caused by noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from January 11, 2018. The Board has determined that the criteria for a rating of 20 percent have been met since December 7, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the competency of the audiologist who conducted the August 2016 examination for hearing loss. A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further medical input regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometric data from a September 1962 examination. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were generally remanded, with some issues having been addressed. The hearing loss case was denied, the right wrist strain received a 10% rating, and the painful laceration of the medial left thigh remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service despite a VA examination report stating otherwise. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to loud gunfire and explosions during combat in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to reopening service connection claims for left and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran was not provided with an opportunity to submit new evidence regarding whether his preexisting hearing loss was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional examinations.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss, finding that his hearing impairment did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is considered part of his reopened claim for a nervous condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.