Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the details of private audiological examination reports submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for right ear hearing loss due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 26, 2016 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter have been denied. The claim for TDIU prior to February 6, 2015 remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to January 15, 2020. However, the Board granted a 10 percent disability rating effective January 15, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that it is not related to his in-service noise exposure and did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that his hearing aids do not warrant a compensable rating despite worsening. The most probative evidence shows no exceptional pattern of hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, right knee arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to new evidence received after the April 2016 rating decision. The Veteran reported incidents of falling from aircraft during service which may be related to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his service-connected vision condition.,His claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for cervical spine, left wrist, and lumbar spine disabilities are denied as there is no credible evidence of such injuries during service or within one year thereafter.

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

The Board has decided that the case needs to be returned for further examination and evaluation due to a lack of adequate opinion in the previous VA audiological examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The appeal will be returned to the RO for further development, including verifying the Appellant's periods of active duty and in-service training, and obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service. The RO must verify these dates and types of service and provide a memorandum explaining their findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as they do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right and left ankle conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion for CUE in his December 2010 rating decision and found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure and that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus between his current condition and service.