Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to in-service noise exposure or secondary to schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral retinal disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and speech disorder for additional development. The Veteran's claims are not granted as service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to a duty to assist error in the initial rating decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for termination of TDIU benefits and entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) since July 1, 2020. The decision found that actual employability was not established by clear and convincing evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The diagnoses are presumed related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss effective December 4, 2019. The decision is based on the Veteran's intent to file a claim within one year of receipt of the notification letter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD with TBI (PTSD) have been granted. The effective date for these grants is February 9, 2017. Additionally, the Veteran's claim of service connection for IBS has also been granted, but an earlier effective date was not awarded due to lack of evidence prior to February 9, 2017. The reduction in rating for sinusitis from 10% to zero percent effective June 23, 2021 is upheld.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as both conditions are rated based on their severity under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a predecisional duty to assist error. A retrospective medical opinion is needed to assess the extent of his functional impairment from service-connected disabilities prior to February 13, 2020.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding earlier effective dates for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right knee internal derangement with degenerative joint disease have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The Veteran is currently receiving the highest schedular rating for her left knee condition.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as both conditions are rated based on their severity under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been granted, with a 50% rating for PTSD effective October 3, 2016, and a 50% rating for bilateral hearing loss effective July 27, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of a statement of the case in response to his Notice of Disagreement. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The rating for bilateral hearing loss and the TDIU claim are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as direct service connection due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.