Hearing loss Board decisions

For the increased rating period on appeal, a 20% disability rating for right knee degenerative joint disease has been granted.,For the initial rating period from May 15, 2009 to February 7, 2021, a 10% disability rating for right knee instability was denied.,For the initial rating period from February 7, 2021 onwards, a 20% disability rating for right knee instability has been granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss for VA purposes and has granted service connection for tinnitus. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to his refusal to communicate with the VA.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a September 2020 VA audiological opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner did not adequately address the possibility of delayed onset noise-induced hearing loss and failed to discuss the significance of the Veteran's lay reports about continuous hearing loss since service separation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 7, 2022. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant an increase in rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability.,Service connection for neck disability is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no chronic residuals from the April 2015 motor vehicle accident. The current symptoms are not considered disabling enough to warrant service connection.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence of functional impairment affecting earning capacity.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right eye stroke are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a VA examination and insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened, and the case is remanded due to unclear nexus opinions. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is also being remanded for an examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and upper torso scar have been granted service connection. The low back disorder, left knee disorder, and left foot/heel disorder are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his hearing acuity did not warrant a higher rating based on the audiometric test results.

The Board has decided that further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service, and thus remands the case for a VA audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address secondary service connection claims and provide addendum opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on medical opinions provided by a VA examiner and a private physician.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected disabilities have not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 16, 2022 or entitlement to TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if there are any related disabilities, their relationship to his service-connected hearing loss, and the appropriate rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The claims of entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss, service connection for left ankle condition, and service connection for left foot condition are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for right ear hearing loss as new and material evidence was not received, despite the Veteran's belief that his hearing loss is related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bone condition secondary to left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, tendonitis, ear condition (secondary to bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus), sleep disorder (other than sleep apnea), and left knee disorder. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that this rating is not appropriate given his specific hearing acuity levels.