Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error and an inadequate private audiologist report.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or within the presumptive period. The Veteran's assertions regarding noise exposure and Agent Orange exposure were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma he experienced during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral foot disorder including pes planus, sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury. The issues are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of a disease or injury during service and it did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Board denied increased disability evaluations for calluses of the right and left feet, as well as bilateral hearing loss prior to February 19, 2021. The Veteran's claim was based on direct service connection.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's death, including those for PTSD, hearing loss, onychomycosis, prostate cancer reduction, and individual unemployability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for ratings related to chronic kidney disease, right shoulder disability, right shoulder scar, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral eye disability and a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and a TDIU rating due to PTSD. The Veteran's hearing loss is linked to his military service, and he is unable to work due to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate nexus opinion provided by the July 2021 VA examiner. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is considered a current disability, and the examiner must provide an adequate rationale considering the Veteran's self-reported history and the May 2010 favorable medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and somnambulism were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, but the issue pertaining to right lower extremity radiculopathy is still pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disorder. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of calcaneus stress fracture, left foot, ED, hypogeusia (loss of smell), lumbar L-5 spondylolysis, and sciatic radicular pain, RLE.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for ED, including as due to service-connected disability; hypogeusia (loss of smell); lumbar L-5 spondylolysis; and sciatic radicular pain, RLE are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and nephrosclerosis due to incomplete responses to the remand directives.,Specifically, the March 2021 VA examiner's opinion on hypertension was not fully responsive to the Board's remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of these conditions have been continuous since service separation. The decision is based on the presumption of chronic disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b) due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a written statement received in February 2020.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions, including arthritis, back disorder, cervical spine disorder, neurological disorder of the right upper extremity, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a heat stroke, and headaches.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a right ankle disability due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claim is granted.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with your claims as they are no longer valid.