Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination closer to the Veteran's address, and for obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from the Veteran's private healthcare provider, Hearcare, Inc. and Associates.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn before a decision could be made, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's hearing loss may have existed prior to service, but further examination is required to determine if it was aggravated by service or related to a congenital defect.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a conflict with a previous decision and the need for further development, including seeking additional relevant records from the Veteran and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as he expressed satisfaction with the November 2020 rating decision and requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for the service-connected hypertension. The issues of entitlement to a TDIU and an increased rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 1, 2019 was denied. From August 1, 2019 and forward, the Veteran is granted a 30% disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating on an extraschedular basis for his low back disability prior to May 23, 2011 was denied. The Veteran is in receipt of SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to loss of use of both feet.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and a neck disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a groin disability, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's groin pain is attributed to his service-connected hip condition.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of onset during service or within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA audiological examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, DM with diabetic complications, prostate disability (chronic prostatitis), and heart disability (coronary artery disease) are being remanded for further development.,Additional medical records will be requested to determine the presence of these conditions prior to the Veteran’s death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss of the left ear and right ear, osteomyelitis, bilateral hip disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and back scar are all remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on new evidence and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss was dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer was granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was previously rated as noncompensable prior to August 25, 2020. After this date, the claim for a higher rating was denied.,After August 25, 2020, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warranted a 100% disability rating based on exceptional pattern of impairment.