Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are causally related to his military noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease noted in service or within a presumptive period. The preponderance of the evidence supports the conclusion that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a 30 percent rating effective November 7, 2017. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear was rated at 60 percent effective September 2, 2020. The Board denied a compensable rating for his hearing loss prior to that date.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the November 2020 remand directives and has therefore ordered a new examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting audiometric test results and the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has current left ear hearing loss related to service.

The Veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective September 25, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and an addendum medical opinion is required.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to December 11, 2020 and remains at 10 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating for either stage.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim was denied as less likely related to service. Effective dates prior to May 15, 2016 were not granted for erectile dysfunction and SMC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, chronic lumbar strain, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and active duty noise exposure. The Board also found that the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b) were not met.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of increased ratings for PTSD, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from June 10, 1988 to January 23, 1991 due to his service-connected PTSD preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss and that his current left ear hearing loss is less likely than not caused by or related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA medical opinion. The Board requires an addendum opinion that addresses whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his active service or caused by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for PTSD is being remanded.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vision loss, need further review due to potential death of the Veteran. The appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's tinea pedis was granted service connection. The claims for PFB, pes planus, medial plica syndrome (claimed as shin splints), PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no causal nexus between his current condition and his military service.