Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service and concluding that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to age-related changes (presbycusis) rather than noise exposure or other in-service events.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service due to noise exposure. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were remanded. The case must be returned to the AOJ for further consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service noise exposure that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his active service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied due to a lack of evidence showing aggravation beyond natural progression during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50 percent effective March 6, 2009.,Service connection for Meniere's disease secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran has been granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has ordered an addendum VA medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as it relates to in-service noise exposure. The current opinion is insufficient and does not consider the Veteran's testimony from his October 2018 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depression is granted. Service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and right knee/leg weakness are also granted. An effective date earlier than December 3, 2012, for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period prior to November 28, 2018. Therefore, TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury during service and no reliable link to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to December 9, 2020 and after this date.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it is at least as likely as not incurred in service.,Bilateral hearing loss is also granted service connection due to the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for an addendum regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability prior to April 9, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for clarification of the November 2014 audiologic evaluation conducted by Pennsylvania Ear Institute.