Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her sleep apnea, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and cervical spine disability. The rating reduction from 10 percent to noncompensable for left lower extremity radiculopathy was improper.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of a recent VA examination.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including GERD, bilateral hearing loss, right fibula fractures residuals, tinnitus, dermatophytosis of the left foot, and pterygium of the left eye. The Board found that these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, tremor, and dementia have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,There are no confirmed diagnoses of the claimed conditions since or proximate to when the Veteran filed his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss disabilities of the left ear were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hearing loss disability of the right ear was not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The evidence does not establish that his preexisting hearing loss of the right ear was aggravated beyond its natural progression by his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, including exposure to military noise. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss began during or was aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeals regarding these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, and depression, was not incurred in or due to his time in service.,There is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes that was incurred in or due to the Veteran's time in service. The Veteran reported difficulty hearing but did not have a diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for further VA evaluation and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, lung nodule, bilateral hearing loss, left arm tremor as a residual of left hand burn, right eye nerve damage, and back disorder (spinal cord degeneration) have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the current medical evidence is in equipoise on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ear cholesteatoma with mastoidectomy, and traumatic brain injury. The claims are based on direct evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to their schedular ratings, and his employment history suggests he is capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis and bilateral hearing loss were both found to not warrant increased ratings. The diabetes mellitus claim was remanded, as well as the psychiatric disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to new evidence or other factors.

The Veteran's hearing loss rating was reduced from 50 to 30 percent effective January 1, 2019. The Board found that additional development is needed to assess whether the reduction reflected functional improvement or merely temporary improvement.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. However, the decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it requires additional evidence and a new VA examination.