Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the untimely filing of a VA Form 10182 contesting bilateral hearing loss service connection. The rating reduction for back disability was restored to 40 percent effective July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left leg disability has been dismissed due to his withdrawal.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, anosmia, bilateral optic neuropathy and glaucoma, and vertigo. The claims were previously denied in a May 2019 rating decision but readjudicated due to new evidence received after January 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied due to the lack of medical or lay evidence showing these conditions during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for left ankle disability is remanded as there are duty-to-assist errors related to missing records from Martin Army Hospital and an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is dismissed as there was no case or controversy. The claims of service connection for umbilical hernia and systolic ejection murmur are remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding aggravation during service.

The Veteran's death was not due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board denied the appellant's claims for a burial allowance in excess of $300, an interment allowance, and reimbursement of transportation expenses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 30, 2019 for a 30 percent rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The earliest ascertainable increase in hearing impairment occurred on that date.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss from January 17, 2020 to September 24, 2020 and from September 25, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected bilateral hearing loss warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent or 40 percent respectively during these periods.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected due to in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back injury, heart problem, and bilateral leg conditions have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to warrant readjudication.,Service connection for memory loss and brain lesions is denied due to the lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee disabilities and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from February 24, 2021. The Board granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain an adequate VA examination. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and migraines, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 22, 2011. Effective as of April 30, 2019, she is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examination findings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are invalid, thus remanding the case for further evaluation.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at AdventHealth Lake Placid on November 13, 2019 are now covered by VA as the treatment was for a serious condition that posed an immediate threat to his health and no feasible VA facility was available.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to military noise exposure.