Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has determined that service connection for tinnitus is warranted, but the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss requires additional examination and evidence.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the Appellant has withdrawn her appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, hepatitis C, and bronchitis have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back condition have been granted.,Evidence showed current disabilities in each of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension and remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being returned to VA for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current disabilities are as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding VA treatment records, specifically the results of the April 2015 VA audiogram, which need to be obtained before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. His bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, diabetes mellitus at 20 percent, right and left knee degenerative joint disease each at 10 percent, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease at 10 percent, and erectile dysfunction did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional evidence to be considered and readjudicated.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to a service-connected disability due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. Additional medical comment is needed concerning whether some medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities aggravate his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and to ensure proper notification of their unavailability. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to May 16, 2019 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable or greater rating.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss from December 10, 2018, is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a higher level of hearing impairment prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined nature.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is linked to his in-service noise exposure and his service-connected tinnitus.