Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim of residuals of a kidney contusion is remanded due to duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examinations in June 2019. The Veteran is required to provide a new examination with respect to his hearing loss, which includes consideration of in-service reports of hearing loss. For his tinnitus claim, an addendum opinion from the VA audiologist must be obtained considering the high probability of hazardous noise exposure during service and whether diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated his tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for a ruptured left ear drum is being returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's interstitial pneumonia is also granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases, as well as a new examination is required to assess his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) and remanded the claims for right ear hearing loss and a right shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating prior to June 15, 2021 and denied any rating in excess of 30 percent since that time.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected chronic non-suppurative otitis media (rated as bilateral hearing loss) is remanded due to the lack of specific clinical findings in his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression. Additional steps are needed to verify the inservice injury that led to his current condition.,The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify stressors.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify the inservice injury.,The Veteran's asthma is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was diagnosed while in service and whether any increase in severity is due to his service-connected ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to verify stressors.

The Board has decided to remand both claims of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus due to the Veteran not attending a scheduled VA audiological examination. The matter is being returned to the AOJ for rescheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are related to service exposure. The VA examiner must provide a rationale explaining why or why not the noise exposure during military service caused the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found no continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety, including for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder and denied service connection for heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction (secondary to heart disorder).

The Board has remanded the claim for left ear hearing loss due to noise exposure during service. A new VA opinion is needed to determine if the current hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from November 21, 2015 to October 13, 2020, and an evaluation in excess of 50 percent from October 14, 2020 to the present was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to a claim of worsening since the last examination in February 2017. A new examination will be arranged to assess the current severity of his condition.