Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 22, 2015. The Board finds that entitlement to TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for clarification regarding the type of word list used during audiometric evaluations. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is also being reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied a compensable rating from March 31, 2011 to November 4, 2019 and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent from November 4, 2019.,For radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, a 20 percent evaluation was granted effective November 4, 2019. For radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, a 20 percent evaluation was also granted effective November 4, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete or missing records and inconsistent responses during VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered after further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD due to new evidence received. The claims are now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 0 percent, the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his hearing acuity levels did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and remanded the issue of service connection for her left ankle sprain.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination results.

The Veteran's ED, painful inguinal hernia scar, bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia repair, and umbilical hernia are all granted service connection. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for the painful inguinal hernia surgical scar.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss due to service exposure, including a request for an addendum opinion addressing delayed onset noise-induced hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that this rating is correct.,The Veteran's PTSD with TBI was previously rated at 50 percent prior to December 9, 2013, and at 70 percent thereafter. The RO must address whether a higher rating is warranted for the period from December 9, 2013, to present, excluding periods of temporary total ratings.,The Veteran's left foot pes planus was previously rated as noncompensable prior to May 18, 2018. The RO must address whether a higher rating is warranted for the period from May 18, 2018, to present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected, but his tinnitus began during service and has been granted.,Issues for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), prostate cancer, and hypertension have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service-connected tinnitus. The VA needs to obtain a new medical opinion that addresses the private doctor's opinions and the 1971 service treatment note.