Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The claims are being addressed on their merits, with a focus on whether in-service noise exposure caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular disability rating. The Board found that remand was warranted for additional development and examination regarding his right knee, right knee scars, back, bilateral shoulder disabilities, right hip, and sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period, and his claim for a TDIU is granted.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeals for all accrued benefits and substitution purposes claims related to the Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the cases of psoriasis and a spine disability. The case is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as it did not have its onset in service and is not attributable to service.,The Veteran's groin condition is denied as there is no evidence that the current diagnosis began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 20 percent effective May 14, 2013. The neck disc problem (degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine) is rated at 20 percent. Post-traumatic headaches are rated at noncompensable. TBI is rated at noncompensable. Service connection for left knee disorder and left elbow disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not show that his hearing impairment meets or approximates the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional medical inquiry and examinations to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development regarding his migraine headaches and need for regular aid and attendance.,The Veteran's appeal is also REMANDED to obtain private vision records related to his migraines, and to schedule a VA examination to determine the extent of his service-connected foot disabilities alone as pertinent to his need for the regular aid and attendance of another person. ,The Veteran's appeal is further REMANDED to schedule a VA examination to determine the extent of functional impairment presented by his corns and callosities of the bilateral feet, distinguishing between service-connected and nonservice-connected causes.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for an updated opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable under the provisions of Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board found that there is no audiological evidence to support a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, and a new addendum opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his reported exposure to noise during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status, or automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to inadequate opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection, as well as noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus to include as due to hypertension. The issue of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability remains pending.,Further development is needed to address the claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and the bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing before the Board.,Service connection is granted for cystic acne, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee disability. Service connection is denied for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and he did not require aid and attendance or housebound status based on his service-connected conditions. The Board denied the claim for special monthly compensation.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection on all four conditions due to the appellant's request to withdraw his appeals prior to a decision.