Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of manifestation within one year post-service and no evidence of onset in service.,Service connection for hepatitis B is denied as the disability does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes cavus, finding that the Veteran's congenital condition was aggravated by wearing ill-fitting boots during service. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to hazardous noise in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for migraine headaches, a right knee disability, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for his service connection awards.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's hypertension is granted at a 10% rating prior to November 21, 2019 and denied thereafter. The Veteran's sinusitis is denied. The Veteran's acute renal failure is granted at a 30% rating prior to August 16, 2018 and denied thereafter. The Veteran's gout is denied. The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is denied.

The Veteran's right hand disability, including upper right extremity radial nerve disability, is granted as secondary to his service-connected right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at no worse than Level IV in the right ear and no worse than Level VI in the left ear since July 5, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The case is remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep disorder, which may be related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to delays in contacting him and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran needs to provide additional evidence, including authorization for treatment records, and the RO should schedule another VA examination.

The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension and tinnitus are all granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a disease entity during service or within one year of separation. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection was denied for residuals of a head injury due to a motor vehicle accident.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is based on the lack of a link between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure, while the decision on tinnitus finds that symptoms began during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are as likely as not related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional development of private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal cancer due to in-service asbestos exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain opinions from appropriate clinicians regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s conditions, including a discussion of the clinical significance of an NCI Fact Sheet.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss during the appeal period. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing problems did not have its onset during active service or within one year of discharge and are not causally related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent (noncompensable) due to the presence of a Level VII auditory acuity, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The nonservice-connected left ear is assigned a Level I hearing impairment designation.