Hearing loss decisions — 2021

Right knee chondromalacia and left knee chondromalacia have been granted service connection.,Bilateral pes planus has been granted service connection based on aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds further development is needed before the psychiatric issues can be decided.,Service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include panic disorder with agoraphobia, is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective January 7, 2013 is granted. The Board also found that his TDIU claim was mooted due to the grant of a 100 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA audiological examination and the need for further evaluation to determine if pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated during active service.

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

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the need for updated VA treatment records, an addendum opinion regarding threshold shifts during in-service audiograms, and a review of the service connection claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tear status post repair.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent since July 29, 2019. The Board found no evidence of a compensable rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been resolved by a December 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable, but has been increased to a 30 percent rating since November 5, 2015. The appeal is denied for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records, specifically a June 2016 audiogram from the Peoria OPC. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims are inextricably intertwined with the rating issue for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is as likely as not due to his conceded military noise exposure in service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from March 23, 2016 to June 28, 2016 was denied. The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 100 percent for vertigo with impaired balance with hearing loss and tinnitus from June 28, 2016 through December 13, 2017 was granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current diagnosis.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records from the Veteran's civilian employer regarding his hearing test results.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is granted a 60% rating as of November 5, 2020. His hearing loss and scars are denied higher ratings. The Veteran's CAD remains at a 30% rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a link between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing disability. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding no causal relationship between his in-service noise exposure and current hearing disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of one or both feet, so they are ineligible for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was dismissed because he did not submit the required VA Form 21-8940, which would have provided critical information necessary to adjudicate his claim. The evidence of record is insufficient to determine whether the Veteran has been rendered unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.