Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is granted a 100% disability rating effective August 19, 2014. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to her service-connected back and lower extremity disabilities. Her bilateral hearing loss claim is denied. The lumbar spine disability rating is increased to 40 percent, effective July 28, 2020. The right knee disability ratings are remanded for further review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. However, the hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, scar removal of cyst on buttocks, squamous cell carcinoma, back disability, and epididymitis have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) has also been denied.,However, the claim for a back disability was reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU due to new evidence not having been considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial higher rating for hearing loss has been withdrawn and dismissed. The Board also denied the claim for a TDIU as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss were granted with an effective date of October 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flatfoot and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is rated at 60 percent since November 16, 2018. The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU and SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left tibia scar are being remanded due to the need for further development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment for the appeal period prior to August 11, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective September 30, 2019. The Board has restored the 20 percent rating and denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain and associate VA treatment records from VistA imaging system.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is rated at 70% effective December 13, 2016. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable prior to August 8, 2020 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Service connection for a right knee disability was remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it began during his active military service and is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.