Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases of lumbar spine disability, right ear hearing loss, and major depressive disorder due to lack of clarity in the evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is not related to in-service noise exposure and did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, lower extremity pain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The effective date claim for left ear hearing loss is dismissed without prejudice to a potential CUE claim. The rating for left ear hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a right ear hearing loss disability. The issue of assigning a disability rating in excess of 0 percent for a left ear hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss. The claim for service connection for hearing loss is now pending and will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for gout, right knee disability, asthma, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal of reopening his hearing loss claim has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the merits of this case as it is no longer viable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, a colon disorder (to include as secondary to service-connected malaria or herbicide exposure), a left knee disorder, and a right knee disorder due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, skin condition, prostate cancer, bladder condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential issues with medical opinions and exposure history.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to September 27, 2021 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service due to acoustic trauma from artillery during combat operations in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its February 2021 remand orders and another remand of the issue is necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the last denial. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is noted but the relationship between his current conditions and service remains unclear.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not manifest in service or within one year of separation and is not otherwise associated with service.

The Board denied a compensable extraschedular rating for left ear hearing loss prior to January 11, 2005, as the schedular criteria adequately described the severity and symptoms of the Veteran's disability.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the appellant's death.