Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and respiratory disability. The claims of service connection for these conditions are not granted.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from December 1, 2012 to July 11, 2013. The claim for TDIU prior to December 1, 2012 is denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for hearing loss, prostate cancer, and a psychiatric condition were granted. The claim for service connection for an eye disorder was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss did not result from in-service noise exposure and was less likely aggravated by service. The evidence showed no worsening of his pre-existing hearing condition during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and whether it is related to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not originate in service or within a year of service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may be related to in-service noise exposure and remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's tension headaches, heart disabilities, left knee and ankle disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinus disability are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current condition is related to in-service noise exposure and establishing continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has restored a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective October 1, 2021, as the evidence does not show an actual improvement in the severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability (secondary to left knee), and right thumb disability due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as a result of noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for scar, residuals from gunshot wound left hand is denied. The case of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether any service-connected disability contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the previous 10 percent rating as of August 1, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examination and duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 15, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, headaches, and right ankle disorder are denied. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder is granted as new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran was granted a rating of 30 percent for hearing loss from March 21, 2015 to June 20, 2016.,A higher rating of 50 percent has been granted since June 20, 2016.