Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent prior to November 17, 2016 and at 40 percent from October 30, 2019. The claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to November 17, 2016 is denied.,The Veteran's COPD warrants a 30 percent disability rating throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and he has been granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, headaches, blurry vision, tinnitus, and low back disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional evidence or medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, low back disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been remanded due to potential changes in the Veteran's condition since his last examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with sacroiliac injury, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 13, 2019 was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss from August 13, 2009 was also denied as there were no new and material evidence to support an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for further development as per prior Board directives.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his condition, including speech recognition ability and a modified performance intensity function.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with its March 2020 remand directives. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is not competent and probative evidence of a nexus between the current disability and his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of July 2, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has dismissed the claims for an initial evaluation higher than 20 percent for left knee osteoarthritis and meniscal tear, a temporary total evaluation for the left knee disorder, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and an effective date prior to October 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for the left knee disorder. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for right knee disorder, back disorder, and left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted at a 40 percent from May 22, 2012 to June 18, 2019. A higher rating of more than 60 percent is denied since June 19, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss in both ears.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 10% and has been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to September 14, 2020 and at a 10 percent rating beginning that date. The Board has found no evidence of entitlement to higher ratings for the period prior to September 14, 2020 or after that date. For his right hip disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability, the Veteran's claims are remanded as additional development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not warrant such a rating based on VA examination results.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as non-compensable, with the VA examiner finding no basis for an increase in disability.,Service connection was denied for brain tumor and brain cancer due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.