Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and the initial disability evaluation in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and potentially relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent from November 22, 2013. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation on the issues of increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess any current mental condition caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for hearing loss and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disease in service or within one year after discharge. The Board also found that the current hearing loss is not related to military service and is less likely caused by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's initial rating for the painful left hand laceration residual scar is denied, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete medical opinions and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable rating for malaria have been granted. The decision on the hearing loss claim is based on presumptive exposure to noise during active duty, while the malaria claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the current disabilities are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, nor did they cause him to be permanently housebound or at the housebound rate prior to February 8, 2017; or from June 1, 2017, to December 22, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as the preexisting condition did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not substantially confine him to his dwelling and the immediate premises, thus preventing him from qualifying for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically audiometric test results from March 18, 2015, May 23, 2015, and October 28, 2015. The Veteran also needs clarification on the type of speech recognition tests used during these evaluations.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his inguinal hernia complications are found to be related to service. However, the initial compensable rating for residuals of inguinal hernia is denied, and a higher than 10 percent rating for a surgical scar associated with residuals of inguinal hernia is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding private treatment records and a need to address whether TDIU is warranted based on the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and flat feet, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The effective date is not specified as it was a full grant of benefits.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for right ear hearing loss prior to November 26, 2019 and a 20 percent rating thereafter. The decision also grants a 10 percent rating for left ear hearing loss.