Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include a disability related to an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and migraine condition secondary to sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to recognize J.T. as a helpless child, finding that he was permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The claims for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of recent examination and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and chronic sinusitis due to additional development being needed, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) are remanded due to inadequate examination findings and need further development.,The Veteran’s skin disabilities of the back and ears are remanded due to insufficient exposure basis documentation.,Service connection for a spine disability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board dismissed both claims due to the appellant's death, and no compensable rating was assigned for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 9, 2020, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The service connection claim for dismemberment of the left ear is also dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding them due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his bilateral knee disabilities.,His hearing loss disability remains rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for further medical examination. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again as it may be related to service exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnosis and active service, including presumed herbicide agent exposure. The Board found that the gap in time between his last date of active service and the initial mention of sleep apnea to be probative.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnosis and active service, including presumed herbicide agent exposure. The Board found that the gap in time between his last date of active service and the initial mention of hearing loss to be probative.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of claims for effective dates earlier than January 29, 2018 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal is REMANDED for further development on issues including low back disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2, psychiatric disorders, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The right hip disorder and flat feet claims are denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, and there was no aggravation of pre-existing conditions. Bilateral hearing loss is granted, but back, left hip, and knee disorders are denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to July 13, 2016 due to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder. From July 13, 2016, the claim is moot as he already receives SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to new evidence or further medical examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral hearing loss are not rated higher than the current 0 percent rating due to the audiometric findings.