Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for VA survivor's pension benefits with aid and attendance, as her income does not exceed the maximum annual pension rate. The decision also notes that she is entitled to a deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connection.,The Veteran's right foot big toe condition and obstructive sleep apnea are both granted as service connection.,New evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on six different conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right elbow strain has been granted a 10 percent evaluation effective June 17, 2015. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome have also been established.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The right eye vitreous floaters were granted as service-connected, and the claims for a right eye condition (other than vitreous floaters) and left eye condition are remanded. The dental condition claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and vision loss due to potential new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to June 14, 2021 and 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent beginning June 14, 2021. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of bilateral frostbite and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence received since the May 2010 rating decision. The Veteran is also entitled to a VA examination to determine if his upper extremities disabilities are related to service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed before adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and considering new evidence received since the March 2021 SSOC.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it began in service and has continued since then.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced noise exposure during his military service, which is considered sufficient to establish a link between his current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right and left knee chondromalacia, and related disabilities. The issues include reopening the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, seeking earlier effective dates for right and left knee chondromalacia, rating adjustments for these conditions, and a TDIU determination prior to December 5, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he seeks a higher rating. He also seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities including PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board has remanded both issues for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, low back disability, left knee tendonitis, and traumatic arthritis of bilateral big toes due to incomplete examination reports and lack of range of motion testing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's knee, back, ankle sprain, cluster headaches, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities. The examinations will help determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions have worsened since his last evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to address his claims of service connection for sleep disturbance (claimed as sleep apnea) and increased rating for back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back injury and head injury have been reopened, with new evidence showing current diagnoses of lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as continuity of symptoms since in-service injuries. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has not met VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, residuals of head injury (including memory loss), and headaches have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis or residuals of fractured shoulder and hearing loss due to potential issues with the evidence.,Specifically, the Veteran's current diagnoses are being reviewed in light of his alleged in-service injuries.