Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as a presumptive condition due to in-service noise exposure. The initial rating for his scar, left knee status-post meniscus repair and lateral meniscectomy is granted at 10 percent. His hearing loss is found not to be service-connected. Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his hearing loss and tinnitus were not contributory causes of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension due to insufficient examination reports addressing whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities.,Specifically, the Joint Motion found that the March 2019 VA examination was inadequate because it did not address obesity as a potential intermediate step in establishing service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as Level I, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's hearing acuity, at worst, has been measured at Level II in both ears. The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss as the preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 28, 2020, and a rating greater than 20 percent from that date has been denied. The Board found the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and cervical strain, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the results of audiometric evaluations and physical examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on six issues have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeals in a completed VA Appeals Satisfaction Notice.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to deficiencies in the examination and further development is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable (zero percent) due to the severity of his symptoms not meeting criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The updated VA examinations did not show any additional impairment warranting a higher rating.,Left knee limitation of flexion is rated as noncompensable (zero percent).,Right knee limitation of flexion is rated as noncompensable (zero percent).,Left knee limitation of extension is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis, as the Veteran reported continuous symptoms since service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of direct or presumptive evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining private medical records and for providing a new VA opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The service connection claims for left knee, right knee, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral hearing loss are still pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of worsening during the appeal period.,PTSD symptoms have not met criteria for a higher than 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The Board will consider whether in-service noise exposure caused or aggravated his current hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential pre-existence during service and aggravation by service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral lower extremities have precluded him from maintaining substantially gainful employment due to physical and mental impairments.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was evaluated as a level I in both ears, resulting in a 0 percent rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.