Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss prior to August 29, 2014, and a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss from August 29, 2014 to June 17, 2019. These claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss claim is denied. His right knee disability and instability are each rated at 10 percent throughout the period on appeal, with a 100 percent rating for prosthetic replacement of the left knee joint following implantation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues related to his hearing loss, headaches, right ear hearing loss, PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran during a September 2021 hearing.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable, and the Board found that there is no evidence of exceptional pattern of hearing impairment warranting a higher rating. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence added since the February 2017 SOC. The AOJ is instructed to review this additional evidence and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to evidence of worsening since the last examination and incomplete treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and invites the Veteran to submit additional evidence. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being examined for a nexus to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the effective date of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of tinnitus and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as Level I at all relevant times.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as he is employed full-time.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no diagnosed disability during the period on appeal and insufficient evidence to establish a link between current hearing loss and military noise exposure.

The Board has found insufficient evidence to make an informed decision on the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. Service connection for coronary artery disease and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to missing records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee limitation of extension, right knee limitation of flexion, and right knee instability due to incomplete examinations and lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a headache disorder (including migraine and migraine variants).,The Veteran's right and left foot disorders are not currently addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities. The increased rating, SMC, and TDIU claims are remanded as the Veteran's private treatment records have not been obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to various conditions, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee condition, and muscle tear of the left arm. The appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's lumbar disc herniation, stenosis, and radiculopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded.