Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during active duty, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection for prostate cancer is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibrous dysplasia, left nasal cavity and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer as there is no evidence to support that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering an August 2020 VA audiological examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a link to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on a finding of mixed evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may be related to his service-connected tinnitus, but an additional examination is needed to clarify this relationship.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability was present during his military service and linked to noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions based on the absence of evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of neck injury. The issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and PTSD as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran does not meet the auditory threshold criteria for right ear hearing loss for service connection purposes.,There is no evidence of chronic bronchitis during or within one year after service. Service connection for bronchitis is denied.,No in-service knee, shoulder, or back disability was found. Service connection for these disabilities is denied.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia is already service connected and does not preclude the granting of separate ratings for other joint conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating between January 1, 2009 through March 7, 2018. The preponderance of the evidence is against his claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found no evidence of noise exposure during service or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, bilateral knee disabilities, tinnitus, and hearing loss, collectively rated at 70 percent or more, render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).