Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for testicular cancer and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, alcohol use disorder, stimulant use disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability. The hearing loss and TDIU prior to April 9, 2018 issues are remanded due to outstanding records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hearing loss disability and his active service, including combat experiences in Iraq, as well as the relationship with his service-connected TBI residuals and other disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or after service, and the most probative medical opinions are against a finding that it is related to service-connected PTSD.,PTSD symptoms prior to April 9, 2015, were productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. As of April 9, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and cervical spine degenerative disc disease were granted service connection. However, the increased ratings for his cervical spine disability prior to January 25, 2020, are granted with a 20% rating, while those from that date onwards are denied. The Veteran's radiculopathy issues remain under review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for consideration of a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis due to the impact of his hearing loss in his occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking the current condition to in-service noise exposure.,The minor opacity of right eye cornea was noted during service and is considered service-connected. The left eye corneal scar, cataracts, and minor opacity of right eye cornea are not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no confirmed current diagnosis of PTSD. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were also denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left knee disability, and left toe disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and remanded the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for a left ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to current hearing loss. The VA examinations did not show any threshold shifts during service and concluded that the current hearing loss is more likely due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing impairment is related to his noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting medical opinions with respect to their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service exposure, but the VA examiner did not consider all relevant evidence including the Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure and his contention that he did not receive an adequate audiological evaluation during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that the current hearing loss is more likely due to post-service employment and recreational activities than military noise exposure.

The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with auditory acuity no worse than Level II in each ear.