Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted effective March 13, 2020. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement to this benefit is April 5, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the Appellant, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of CUE in the January 2020 rating decision, which found that the conditions did not begin during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraines was denied due to failure to report for the scheduled examination.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Court found the Board's decision on service connection for bilateral hearing loss was inadequate due to reliance on an incomplete separation audiogram and a short timeline of onset. The Veteran's report of at least 20 years of hearing loss is considered credible, and the Board has decided to disregard the separation audiometric results.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection or disability ratings have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal in its entirety.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected, with the Board resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been remanded due to the complexity of his medical conditions, including CAD, tinnitus, hearing loss, GERD, kidney disease, claudication, and knee condition. The appeals are currently pending.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma, anosmia, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury. Service connection for bilateral knee condition and bilateral foot condition was also denied due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during service.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service connection for migraine headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals before the Board.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection as due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability are remanded due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss and TDIU is remanded due to the need for a more recent audiological examination, clarification of the January 2017 private audiometric report, and additional development related to employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the effective date prior to August 9, 2017 for hearing loss service connection and higher ratings for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for bilateral hearing loss disorder and left knee disorder. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

Your appeal for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his request for a hearing before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it was caused by in-service loud noise exposure.