Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria, and the Veteran did not meet the threshold for presumptive service connection due to acoustic trauma. The Board found that the Veteran had normal hearing throughout his service and post-service evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, migraines, and TBI, as well as his claim for service connection for a back condition due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding VA treatment records not being associated with his file.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's muscle fatigue and headaches have not been diagnosed, but may be related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable (0%) throughout the appeal period, based on VA audiometric testing results.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD, and initial ratings for LUE and RUE thoracic outlet syndrome were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine DDD was partially granted with a 10 percent rating prior to March 31, 2021 and a 20 percent rating from that date onwards. His claims for initial ratings of LUE and RUE thoracic outlet syndrome were also granted but at the same time denied for increased ratings after March 31, 2021.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of a disability meeting VA criteria. The appeal regarding PTSD is remanded as there are insufficient records to corroborate the claimed in-service assault and stressor.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss condition. The case will be returned for a new VA medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability meeting VA criteria. Service connection for tinnitus is remanded as there are inconsistencies in when the Veteran reported his onset and no clear nexus established.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it had its onset during his military service and is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the failure to provide a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's tinnitus disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to his in-service exposure to significant acoustic trauma while working as a vehicle mechanic.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, and headaches due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service and is less likely related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure. The effective date of this decision is February 18, 2020.

The Veteran had wartime service and was receiving VA compensation at the time of his death, qualifying him for survivors pension. The RO denied the claim due to a lack of wartime service, but the Board finds that the Veteran's first period of service qualifies as wartime service. The matter is remanded to determine if the Appellant meets income requirements.