Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for left hip strain, sinus condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted with appropriate ratings and effective dates. However, the claims for bilateral hearing loss and right eye glaucoma are denied.,The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip strain, sinus condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as they were fully granted in a previous rating decision. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for a disability. The right eye glaucoma secondary to service-connected cataract is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his right ankle disorder, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for right knee disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of marked limitation of motion or ankylosis to warrant higher evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and cluster headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss, left ear. The issue will be reconsidered after obtaining any outstanding treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning and inadequate examination in determining if the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss increased in severity during service, whether tinnitus was a symptom of his hearing loss, and if the May 2015 VA examination adequately addressed acquired cholesteatoma.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unemployable from December 1, 2020. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Type II Diabetes Mellitus and its associated complications, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), respiratory disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are pending. The issues of service connection for these conditions have been remanded.,Service connection will be determined based on the merits of each claim.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a 30% rating, effective June 22, 2004.,Left ear hearing loss remains at a non-compensable rating. Right ear hearing loss is reopened to service connection but not yet established as service-connected.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss. The claim will be further adjudicated by reopening it, pending additional evidence or development.,The Board finds that there is no current disability of right ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The Board also remanded the cases for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to inadequate examination findings and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective September 11, 2013.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective September 11, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities.,Bilateral hearing loss is not service connected.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's TBI and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The initial ratings for hearing loss are also granted, with the right ear receiving a higher rating than the left.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination in August 2018.