Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent effective October 19, 2021. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition prior to that date.,The Veteran was previously denied an initial compensable disability evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to October 19, 2021. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration of this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and is not otherwise causally related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to medications taken for service-connected disabilities. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 21, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss is denied. The initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is granted, but the separate rating for meniscal impairment of the left knee and increased ratings are denied. A temporary total rating extension after surgery is granted, but TDIU remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, polysubstance use disorder, neck and back disabilities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as back disability due to secondary service connection. The Veteran needs a new examination with an examiner other than those who previously examined him.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his lumbar spine disability. The decision on the hearing loss claim remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level II in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to his noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added to the record and the need for a VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral foot, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% rating effective May 27, 2021. His left ear hearing loss claim remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient audiometric testing and a need for a new VA audiology examination. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, but a new evaluation may result in a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 19, 2018.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hearing loss disability, left ear, and granted it. The right ear rating issue remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, COPD, OSA, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,Service records showed no complaints of back pain during service. The Veteran reported onset in 1984 while stationed at the Great Lakes Navy base after he slipped and fell on some ice.