Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records and affording the appellant the opportunity to complete a VA Form 21-8940 as a substitute claimant for the Veteran. The TDIU issue is also remanded in conjunction with the increased evaluation issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for sleep apnea, gout, and bilateral knee disability. The decision on the issue of service connection for sinus problems is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure. The disability had its onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his right and left total knee replacements, as well as his bilateral hearing loss, are denied. The current ratings of 30 percent for each knee and 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss are upheld.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, as it was diagnosed within one year of separation from service and presumed related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent prior to December 20, 2019, and 80 percent as of December 20, 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current audiometric findings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, BPH, hypertension, and nephrolithiasis have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and hearing loss was granted with effective dates of July 16, 2012. The hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered to have been incurred during his active military service, as evidenced by the significant noise exposure he experienced while serving in the U.S. Army National Guard.

The Veteran's increased disability evaluations for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The Veteran’s diabetes requires an oral hypoglycemic agent, insulin at least once a day, and restricted diet but not regulation of activities. His bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and right ear hearing loss disability. Service connection is also warranted for left ear hearing loss disability, but the matter is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss disability was aggravated by in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise and supports a nexus between the Veteran's active duty service and his current condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The claim for hearing loss is remanded, while the claim for a psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI, depressive disorder, headaches, and tinnitus. Other service connection claims are either denied or remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement (NOD) was timely filed regarding the March 2011 rating decision, allowing for the reinstatement of his appeal on service connection and initial compensable rating issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or noise exposure and that his current condition is more likely due to aging rather than active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were previously remanded to obtain treatment records and provide an examination.,Service connection was not granted for OSA as it is secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected rhinitis.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss.