Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and an extraschedular rating for left ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable initial evaluation for right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, concluding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service due to lack of in-service noise exposure and no significant threshold shifts on separation audiograms.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure and resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, osteopenia of the back, and tinnitus have been granted. The claims were reopened based on new evidence received since previous denial decisions.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for hearing loss, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating for lipomatosis scars has been granted, but no higher. The Board also found that the Veteran’s bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further development, including a review of his educational and employment history in light of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition began in or is otherwise caused by the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by his military service, including significant noise exposure during active duty. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as there is relative equipoise of evidence supporting their onset during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is now rated at 10 percent from October 24, 2018. Prior to this date, the rating was noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for dizziness, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep apnea, a right eye injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is not unemployable solely because of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, as he had retired voluntarily.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of fractures of the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal heads of the right foot was denied. The Board also found that he did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to October 1, 2014.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for his hearing loss disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim, are inextricably intertwined. Therefore, these matters have been remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds a remand is required to obtain updated information about his most recent employment and to request an opinion regarding the combined effects of his service-connected conditions on his employability.