Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since October 7, 2014.,The Veteran is currently entitled to a TDIU rating on a schedular basis effective September 8, 2015. However, his case was remanded for additional development regarding service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not been manifested by hearing acuity worse than Level II in both ears, warranting a noncompensable rating under the VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU prior to June 21, 2012. The evidence of record is against a finding that his service-connected disabilities resulted in an inability to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful course of employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and low back disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible assertions of in-service noise exposure and injury, as well as continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical examination and incomplete record, particularly regarding the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are inextricably intertwined with a previous decision on service connection. The VA will obtain missing service treatment records, including those from reserve service, and schedule an appropriate examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to active service or aggravated by pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of consideration of certain medical literature and studies.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting opinions from previous VA examiners and discrepancies in the Veteran's reported exposure history. The case must be returned for further examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is presumed to have been incurred in service. The chronic sinus disorder, hypertension, and bilateral otosclerosis are not considered to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, left elbow disability, and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. However, the right elbow disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

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

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

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, kidney disease, hematuria, vertigo/vestibular disorder, and chronic cerumen buildup of the left ear. The claims for tinnitus have not been readjudicated as no new and relevant evidence has been received.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension were all granted. However, the effective dates for these awards are prior to April 8, 2013. The claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status was denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, but no higher. His service-connected hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, diabetic retinopathy, and tension headaches. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fracture of left mandible, postoperative.