Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The claims for left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and lower back condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied a higher rating as there was no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment present. For TDIU, the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements and his claim for extraschedular consideration was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all under review.

The Board found no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or injury, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year after separation from service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to natural progression over time rather than noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for a bilateral foot disorder (claimed as plantar fasciitis) is granted. The Board found that the Veteran had functional impairment and an impact on employment due to his foot pain.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on housebound status was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits, as his service-connected disabilities do not independently rate at 60% or more and he is not permanently confined to his dwelling due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hearing loss, finding no current disabilities at the time of the September 2020 AOJ decision on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for OCD and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is remanded due to the inadequacy of the audiometric test results and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acne, bilateral hearing loss, and oral neoplasm due to a lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise that his current hearing loss disability is related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, nor could it establish continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disease, stroke residuals, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War, or any other specific environment was not considered in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hearing loss has been denied. The Board has remanded the remaining issues, including TDIU and DEA eligibility.