Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 22, 2021 and a rating in excess of 10 percent since that date has been denied by the Board.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, a right knee disability, and right ear hearing loss. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding noise exposure during service and why his hearing loss may have been delayed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions are considered direct service connections based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete audiometric test results and an inaccurate finding of pre-existing hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the claim for diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is presumed as in-service noise exposure caused continuous symptoms since service. For diabetes mellitus, type II, the Board found insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure and ordered further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting entitlement to TDIU throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The other issues on appeal have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal as to sleep apnea was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The appeals for hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorders, and left leg disorder are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to a need for additional medical inquiry.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral elbow conditions, and left knee condition have been granted service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus has a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. A 70% rating for PTSD is granted effective September 6, 2006. Service connection for the bilateral elbow conditions and left knee condition are also granted effective September 6, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA audiological and ear, nose, and throat examination. The propriety of reducing the Veteran's disability rating for chronic sinusitis from 50 percent to 30 percent is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her exposure to noise in Southwest Asia during service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The claims for service connection for a right foot disorder and a right ankle disorder are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for TDIU and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, which are now dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and left foot disability. The claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the aggravation of bilateral hearing loss and denied a higher initial rating for sinusitis.