Hearing loss decisions — 2021

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.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in his inability to secure and maintain employment consistent with his occupational history, leading to a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for further review of the Veteran's hearing loss claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss did not initially manifest during or within one year after his military service and is not otherwise related to his service. The Board concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss was more likely attributable to his work in a steel mill post-service than to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating to 60 percent is denied.,The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is currently rated at 50 percent, but he contends that a higher rating of 100 percent is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's exposure to noise during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his representative's explicit and unambiguous withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the May 2021 decision on appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential inconsistencies in audiometric testing results.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as they are not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of consideration of a private medical opinion and an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report in the previous decision. The Veteran's representative requested these opinions be obtained.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. However, his bilateral hearing loss claim requires further examination and review.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease warrants a disability rating in excess of 60 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this issue for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, with a numeric designation of Level II in both ears. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete record, specifically missing SSA records. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is still on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as related to in-service noise exposure. The claims for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both claimed due to herbicide exposure, are denied as there was no actual or presumed exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service. The appellant is now eligible for benefits as a result.