Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes-related conditions, render him unable to continue working in any substantially gainful capacity. The Board has determined that he is entitled to a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease due to insufficient recent VA examinations for assessing current severity.

The Board has denied all issues related to service connection or increased ratings, except for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss which is denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on audiometric testing results.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's left ear hearing loss to his military service, specifically noise exposure. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting opinions and new evidence. The Veteran's representative raised concerns about the reliability of a previous VA examiner's opinion, which was based on a study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, including a lack of audiometric testing. The examiner is requested to determine if the condition is related to service or secondary to his right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a diabetic ulcer of the toe. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown to have had its onset during active duty or be otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not shown to have been manifested by more than Level II hearing impairment in the right ear and Level I hearing impairment in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the hearing loss and tinnitus claims, granted a 20% rating for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities (sciatic nerve), but discontinued separate ratings for femoral nerves due to pyramiding. Service connection was not established for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a right hand disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, and prostate disability. The case is being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim, as her character of service discharge from Other Than Honorable to Honorable, removing a statutory bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings for various diabetic peripheral neuropathy conditions has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 13, 2018, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to service-connected recurrent otitis media or tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left-ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression due to a lack of proper treatment at a VA medical center in 2011. The case will be further developed and reviewed.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.