Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing impairment levels corresponded to Level II bilaterally and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss has not reached the level for a compensable rating based on VA's rating schedule, as his hearing acuity is at Level IV in the right ear and Level II in the left ear.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hearing loss was incurred in service or is otherwise causally related.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 28, 2009 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for TBI residuals and bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The right knee disability remains pending.,Service connection was denied for TBI residuals due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for sleep apnea, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether it is related to service or secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service noise exposure and that his hearing loss is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected rhinitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is presumed sound upon entry, and a new examination is needed to determine if his current hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for a left ear hearing loss disability and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated SSA records, VA VISTA records related to his left ear audiograms, and VA Choice program records for physical therapy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a dental disability due to lack of evidence showing bone loss through trauma or disease such as osteomyelitis, which is required for compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear as there was no evidence that it began during or was caused by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran contends that his current hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service, but VA medical opinions have been inconclusive.

The Board has ordered additional VA examinations for the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, as well as his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The case is being remanded to ensure these examinations are conducted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and readjudication, specifically focusing on determining the current severity of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 20, 2019 and 30 percent thereafter.

The Board denied a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, duodenal ulcer, and mental health conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 28, 2008 onwards. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of his testimony regarding worsening symptoms.

The Board has determined that remand is needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence is unclear regarding whether these conditions are related to his service.