Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by no worse than Level IV hearing loss in the right ear and Level II hearing loss in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and that any preexisting left ear hearing loss did not aggravate during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including whether it is related to service-connected tympanic membrane issues. The Veteran will need to provide updated medical records and attend the scheduled examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and rectal cancer, but these claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,New evidence submitted by the Veteran includes his testimony at a VA hearing, photographs of combat equipment, and medical opinions. However, the VA examiner found no in-service evidence of hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a lung disability, finding that the conditions began in service and have been present continuously since separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance was determined to be due to his service-connected disabilities, but the Board found that none of the criteria were met for SMC based upon housebound status. The appeal is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and left knee injury are not granted. The case is being remanded to further develop the evidence.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 14, 2019 is denied.,Service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hip disorder are granted.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right ear hearing loss due to a colonoscopy performed at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center on November 29, 2007 because the Veteran did not have additional disability caused by VA treatment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting additional medical examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of an opinion on whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected Meniere’s Syndrome.

The Veteran's request to withdraw his claim for peripheral vestibular disorder was granted. The claims of bilateral hearing loss and valvular heart disorder (claimed as ischemic heart disease) were reopened due to the submission of new evidence, but service connection was not established. Service connection for anxiety and panic disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes), and eye disorder due to additional development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran experienced these conditions in or within one year of his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased rating for his respiratory disability and bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with a numeric designation of Level I in the right ear and Level V in the left ear. The Board found that his hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.