Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing acuity warranted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected kidney cancer residuals and bilateral hearing loss prevent him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU from April 21, 2021. The Board has determined that referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration is required for the period prior to April 21, 2021.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, including obtaining service records and VA examinations for the Veteran's hearing loss, stomach disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent disability manifested by vertigo, and a compensable rating prior to August 27, 2020, and in excess of 60 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae due to pre-decisional errors regarding audiometric testing and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not have a current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection for fatigue is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable due to having a speech recognition score of 96 and average pure tone thresholds of 33.75, which falls within Level I in the right ear.

The Board has determined that there are duty to assist errors in the rating decisions on appeal for hearing loss, tinnitus, neck disability, back disability, and sleep disability. The issues of service connection for these conditions will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left foot condition, right foot condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.,VA also denied entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound due to lack of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service exposure to hazardous noise. The decision is based on the Veteran's MOS of infantryman and his receipt of the Combat Action Ribbon.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure during active service, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service symptoms and noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are due to the Veteran's military noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability recognized by VA.,An initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, is granted for the Veteran's right great toe scar due to pain.,An initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, is granted for the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability (onychomycosis).

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is denied as there is no persuasive evidence that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's right and left arm scars are not painful, unstable, or measure more than 144 square inches (929 square centimeters), thus denying initial compensable ratings under Diagnostic Codes 7802 and 7804.,Starting October 28, 2019, the Veteran's right and left arm scars are painful but not unstable or measure more than 144 square inches (929 square centimeters), thus denying a disability rating in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since October 26, 2018. An effective date of this day is granted for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to his service noise exposure.,The Veteran's DM II was not incurred in service.,The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus (post-surgery left foot bunionectomy residuals) was not incurred in service.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and problems sleeping.,The Veteran's lower back pain was not incurred in service.