Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left thumb disability was previously granted in March 1986 and is now dismissed as a matter of law.,Service connection for tinnitus has been established, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The RO is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to unclear evidence regarding their onset during service. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service and concluding that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA treatment records, specifically audiometric results from previous evaluations. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation from June 27, 2013 to August 30, 2018. The Board granted the TDIU during this period.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD, skin disorder (tinea versicolor), headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and other disabilities do not warrant a compensable rating or TDIU prior to January 23, 2009.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding his rating for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right arm and shoulder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in either ear as defined by VA standards, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ear hearing loss disability should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The decision will be reconsidered after VA provides access to the Veteran's medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss disability associated with residuals of mastoiditis with surgery, left ear.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because he does not have a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development, including obtaining updated employment information and a VA vocational specialist's opinion on the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from December 8, 2008 to April 10, 2019 due to his service-connected PTSD. However, TDIU since April 11, 2019 is denied as the other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and chronic sleep disturbance and fatigue as symptoms of PTSD are granted. The Veteran's thoracic spine strain is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent temporomandibular joint disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.