Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, considering the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The decision is effective from the date of death, December 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for right elbow tendinitis and left elbow tendinitis, but both are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudo folliculitis barbae is currently rated at 60 percent, but the Board has remanded several other issues for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner did not address the Veteran's contentions about noise exposure during service, which is corroborated by in-service treatment records indicating earplugs were issued.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and depressive disorder are granted service connection as they are related to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board found no current bilateral hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria, thus denying the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent disabling due to auditory acuity levels no worse than Level III in either ear, and the subjective complaints are reasonably described by the rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability due to military service, and the Veteran's claim is not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not manifest within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, neck condition, lower back condition, left-hand condition, right-hand condition, right knee condition, left-knee condition, right ankle condition, and left-ankle condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability has also been granted.,A remand was ordered to address the issue of service connection for a shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including CAD with AFIB and cardiomyopathy, hypertension, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety), erectile dysfunction, and chronic fatigue. The issues are related to the in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable due to the audiometric test results showing hearing acuity levels of Level I in both ears.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss of the left ear and tinnitus due to issues with the separation examination report, including the absence of a hearing test at discharge. The case is returned for further review by an examiner.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, various knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and granted a remand for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is now returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which is related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral leg disabilities were granted, and the Veteran's back disability was also granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating based on VA audiological examinations conducted throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating of 70 percent effective March 2, 2016. A higher rating is denied.,An earlier effective date of March 2, 2016 for a TDIU is granted due to the increase in PTSD symptoms beginning that month.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 70 percent effective March 2, 2016. A higher rating is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An initial compensable rating of 0% and a rating in excess of 10% beginning April 25, 2017 are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic or related condition during service and that her current conductive hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection.