Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's TBI is granted, with the Board finding that his current symptoms are related to in-service head injuries.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss prior to July 19, 2021 is denied. From July 19, 2021 onwards, a disability rating of 10 percent is assigned.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active-duty service and granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for additional special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent since June 30, 2021. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities warrant remand for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss worsened during his military service and left ear hearing loss had its onset in service. The decision also grants service connection for left ear hearing loss as it is considered direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and persistent depressive disorder with insomnia have been found to preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, effective May 19, 2010. The right testicle atrophy, sleep apnea, syncope, and bilateral hearing loss are also service connected.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending and remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication, including issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) regarding the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for cervical spine disability. The issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the cervical spine and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 0 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's skin condition is less likely than not related to his service, including herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for a skin condition is remanded for an addendum opinion.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's COPD is less likely than not related to his service, including herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for COPD is remanded for an addendum opinion.,The claims for service connection for a dental condition and eye condition are inextricably intertwined with the COPD claim and are also remanded for an addendum opinion.,The Veteran's current conditions of a dental condition and eye condition are secondary to his COPD, which is currently under review.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric test results do not meet the specific pure tone thresholds required for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasons and basis for denying a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The decision is based on an unclear VA medical opinion from March 2018, which indicated that the Veteran's worsening hearing could be attributed to his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss but also noted it was less likely due to noise exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues including the initial rating for right ear hearing loss, service connection for left and right ears' hearing loss, tinnitus, and TDIU. The Veteran's dental condition claim was previously denied due to lack of evidence of trauma or disease other than caries during service.

The Veteran's service connection for a back disability is granted. The rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 11, 2018 is denied and a 10% rating is granted from that date. The issue of TDIU prior to June 6, 2019 remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record, specifically regarding an addendum opinion from a VA otolaryngologist.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of addressing whether the April 2013 VA examiner's reliance on equivocal language in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report diminishes the probative value of the medical opinion. The Veteran testified that following an in-service noise exposure, he temporarily lost hearing but left ear hearing loss has persisted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is pending resolution.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and DEA benefits prior to March 1, 2011, finding that he was gainfully employed as a truck driver during this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's assertion that in-service hearing tests were unreliable.