Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet his claim for a higher rating.,His right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent), and the Board has reopened his claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss based on new evidence. However, he does not have service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including to corroborate a reported in-service stressor and to determine if the Veteran's essential hand tremors are related to his service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent from August 10, 2020. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification of a previous VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is service-connected.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is granted service connection, while his right ear hearing loss and other conditions are denied. Service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability. The issues of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, right shoulder disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back condition.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective January 14, 2019. The claim of a higher rating was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's hearing impairment had worsened to warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current hearing loss disability is the result of hazardous noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, left knee, right shoulder, right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The appeals are currently pending due to new evidence received that may support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 12, 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity has been consistently at Level III in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is due to in-service exposure to noise and ototoxicants.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and will address the TDIU claim after resolving the service connection issues.

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability in accordance with VA standards.,Service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected knee disorders or an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder), was granted.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of etiology for vertigo due to lack of adequate opinion in the previous VA examination.