Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that any service-connected disability required regular assistance from another person.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure during his time in the United States Navy.

The Veteran's appeals regarding right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depressive neurosis and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for TDIU due to unresolved issues with obtaining private treatment records and providing medical opinions.

The Board denied extraschedular ratings for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss disability, and TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable because it only results in Level I auditory acuity and difficulty with conversations, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues needing further development and consideration, including obtaining VA examinations or opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10% prior to April 11, 2018, and 80% thereafter. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied as the criteria are not met.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and back disability was granted. He is now in receipt of a 60% rating for the left total knee replacement residuals from December 1, 2019 forward.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss disability and his military service. The Board noted that the Veteran did not have significant threshold shifts in service and that his hearing loss was first diagnosed eight years after separation from active duty.

Your appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, seizures, memory loss, hearing loss, and high cholesterol as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during periods of ACDUTRA or were related to such.,The appellant's statements regarding his belief in a nexus between his current conditions and military service were found to be insufficient due to lack of medical expertise.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective September 28, 2011 and a 100% rating effective June 24, 2016. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted at a 40% disability rating from September 18, 2015. The claim for glaucoma remains pending and remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on A&A.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated and found to be at Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board denied the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.