Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination to assess his current bilateral hearing loss, as he missed a previous scheduled exam due to being hospitalized.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level III in the right ear and no worse than Level I in the left ear. The criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are service-connected under direct criteria.,The Veteran's cervical spine/neck disability, residuals of head injury, migraines, seizure disorder, lumbar spine disability, disabilities of the bilateral upper extremities, to include shoulder, arm, and radiculopathy, as well as left ear hearing loss, remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, acute maxillary sinusitis, rhinitis, right leg fungus, left leg fungus, tinea pedis of the right foot, tinea pedis of the left foot, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The effective dates are not specified as they were all granted in a June 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, leaving no issues for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the condition began during active service and persisted since then.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence linking current hearing impairment to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not caused by or related to active-duty service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he was engaged in substantially gainful employment and did not meet the schedular requirements for consideration of a TDIU.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right ankle disability, which he contends is due to an injury sustained during his military service. The Board finds that this issue requires further development and remands the case.

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.