Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection based on continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA medical opinion is needed to distinguish between service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's hearing loss claim. The Veteran needs an addendum VA examination to determine if she has a ratable hearing loss disability and whether it is related to her service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate audiometric testing and missing numerical findings from a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the VA to obtain and consider audiometric results from February 26, 2019 and September 17, 2020 VA audiology consults. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and a need for further evidence. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on housebound status, finding that he did not meet the criteria for such benefits prior to September 19, 2018.

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

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after the Veteran's military service, and they are not otherwise related to his service.

The Veteran's total combined disability rating remains at 60 percent after the grant of a 10 percent evaluation for hypertension, as his other service-connected conditions do not warrant an increase in the overall rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further review of the earlier effective date claim, specifically regarding a potential clear and unmistakable error in the May 2010 rating decision. The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining adequate etiological opinions and reasonably identified records not currently in the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss from October 3, 2016 is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to January 1, 2017 due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and thus service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most severe hearing impairment being Level II in both ears.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied.,Claims for effective dates earlier than June 27, 2017 for service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, femoral nerve; radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve; radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve; radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve; tinnitus; and, hearing loss have been denied.,Service connection for hypertension as due to herbicide exposure has been granted.,The previously denied claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder (claimed as ischemic heart disease) has been reopened. Service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as due to herbicide exposure has also been granted.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,The claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep disability, prostate disability, diverticulitis, erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, PTSD, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the LLE sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the RLE sciatic nerve have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, stomach ulcers (also claimed as abnormal z-line), low back condition (claimed as spinal cord injury), acid reflux, sleep apnea, depression (also claimed as insomnia), atrial fibrillation (also claimed as aortic aneurysm), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (also claimed as insomnia, anxiety, nightmares).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since July 29, 2012. TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service exposure to acoustic noise caused his current condition. The claims for acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA's threshold requirements.