Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and shrapnel injuries. However, as he has already received assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, the special home adaptation grant is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran is not competent to diagnose these conditions, but his assertions are sufficient to trigger VA's duty to provide an examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 16, 2021, and after that date was denied. The Veteran also had his claim for an increased rating for tinnitus denied. Finally, the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 16, 2021, and after that date was denied. His claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was also denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea was denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus disability is related to his active-duty service and grants service connection for it. However, due to errors in obtaining a VA examination for bilateral hearing loss, the case is being remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran submitted a supplemental claim (VA Form 20-995) before filing an appeal, and the AOJ deferred the issues related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it had its onset during active duty service and is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's service-connected Meniere's syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision affords the full benefit of doubt to the Veteran in light of his reported symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant such a rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,There is no current evidence showing that the Veteran experienced symptoms of any of these conditions during or immediately after his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to their nature.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, adjustment disorder, and hepatitis C were not submitted prior to the effective dates assigned in their respective rating decisions.,An initial compensable rating for hearing loss prior to July 30, 2020, was denied. From July 30, 2020, a rating in excess of 80 percent for hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability, or a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left ear hearing loss has been denied as his current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for low back disability, coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's National Guard service dates.

The Veteran's right eye disability claim is denied as there is no current evidence of a right eye disability.,The Veteran's tuberculosis claim is denied as he does not have a current tuberculosis disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The evidence did not substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was granted service connection as it pre-existed his active service and was aggravated therein. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and respiratory dyspnea were not granted increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of adequate medical opinion.