Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran contends that his current hearing loss is related to noise exposure during active duty and a head injury, but the VA examiner concluded there was no nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no increase in severity of his preexisting condition during service and thus not meeting the criteria for aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status are denied as his service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometric test results from January 2021. The AOJ needs to obtain these records and conduct any necessary development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete personnel records from the Veteran's Coast Guard service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to a need for additional medical examination.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development due to an inadequate VA examination. The examiner must review the Veteran's full claims file when providing opinions on whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied. The Board has remanded several of the issues due to insufficient evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the January 2018 VA examination, and a new opinion is needed from a VA examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, mid to low back disability, and upper back and neck disability. The claim for service connection for a right knee injury is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, hip and knee disabilities, and eye disability (glaucoma) are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's Chronic Fatigue Syndrome claim is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of CFS during any period of his claim.,Left ear and right ear hearing loss claims are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to exposure to loud noise during service in Vietnam. Service connection for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) was denied as there is no evidence of chronic BPPV shown within the presumptive period or established continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding the Veteran's left wrist condition and bilateral hamstring strains.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's residuals of shrapnel wound to left ankle are denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD with alcohol dependence), and bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as non-compensable, with a maximum rating of Level I under the VA Rating Schedule.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.