Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability must be remanded due to a need for a new examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, as well as for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), but denied these claims. The claim for service connection for acoustic neuroma is also remanded due to new evidence of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for PTSD was granted based on credible evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disability and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate VA examinations. New VA examinations are needed to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. However, further development is required as the current evidence does not establish service connection due to lack of medical nexus opinions addressing the relationship between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 14, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of evidence.,Specifically, additional medical opinions are required regarding the etiology of various conditions including cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal degenerative disc disease, right shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, fibromyalgia (Gulf War Illness), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) (Gulf War Illness), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (Gulf War Illness), and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and eye disability are dismissed as the conditions have already been granted in a previous rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is a current disability for which symptoms began during his active service, and thus grants service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to October 17, 2019. Service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability has been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various service connection claims, including for bilateral hearing loss, left arm condition, lumbar strain, left knee condition, left ankle condition, plantar fasciitis, anxiety condition, migraine headaches, jaw condition, lung condition, bronchitis, pneumonia, cervical strain, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right arm condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, kidney stones, right hip condition, left hip condition, and right ankle condition. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, cervical spine disability, hemorrhoids, and chronic fatigue syndrome (due to Gulf War service). The decision also notes that the Veteran's claim for sinusitis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination in November 2019. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his conceded in-service noise exposure.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no probative evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for additional development, including obtaining private audiogram records from the Veteran's post-service employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for service connection for thyroid disorder, prostate cancer, and blood pressure disorder remain denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.