Hearing loss decisions — 2021

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 claim for an earlier effective date prior to April 19, 2021 for the assignment of a 20 percent disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that there was no factual basis for an earlier effective date as the increase in disability rating did not occur within one year prior to April 19, 2021.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss is less likely than not related to service due to a significant gap between separation from service and onset of symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 10 percent rating, but no more, prior to March 17, 2021. Since March 17, 2021, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 20 percent rating, but no more.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The low back disability was readjudicated and granted service connection, with the opinion that it is at least as likely as not related to peacetime service. Service connection was denied for vision disorder, kidney disorder, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has found a failure in VA's duty to assist and the case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to December 29, 2017 has been dismissed due to the death of the Appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and noting that the gap between service separation and diagnosis was too long to establish a link.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability has been reopened and granted.,The appeal of the denial of an effective date prior to September 25, 2015, for the grant of service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and ratings have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since November 18, 2020. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted for any period of time during the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service due to exposure to noise during combat.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. Additional examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for macular degeneration with senile cataracts and dermatochalasis, gout, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale in a medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is causally related to his time in service due to exposure to acoustic trauma on the flight line.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service, and the VA examiner found that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss, as it was only at Level III impairment. For his lumbar spine disability, he did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating based on the severity of his symptoms.