Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error that occurred prior to the November 2020 rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is being remanded for further analysis and an adequate opinion regarding whether it was aggravated by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson's disease and urethral strictures with urinary dysfunction, have caused significant disabilities that require regular aid and attendance. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension and granted eligibility for SMC based on aid and attendance.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or a result of military noise exposure during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement (VA Form 10182) was not timely filed within one year from the date of the October 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating prior to June 13, 2019. The Board finds insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable solely because of his service-connected disabilities during this period.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, lung condition, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability established by the evidence of record. The Board also found that a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was not warranted.

Effective dates of December 11, 2015, but no earlier, have been granted for the awards of service connection for lumbar spine and right hip disabilities.,Initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for both conditions are denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to readjudicate his claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction is now granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected hypertension. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the appeal for a compensable rating is denied.,Service connection for right knee disorder is denied due to lack of evidence showing an injury or disease during active duty for training.

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

The Board has determined that new evidence received after previous denials warrants readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis, bilateral hearing loss disability, and migraine headaches. The AOJ is directed to obtain additional medical records and schedule examinations to address these issues.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and bilateral lower extremity disability due to the Veteran's death.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) are remanded.

The appeals for service connection for hypertension and sinusitis are dismissed. The appeal for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied. An initial 30 percent rating is granted for GERD, but the Veteran's tinnitus and allergic rhinitis remain at their current ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be directly related to his in-service noise exposure during basic training, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss and foot/knee disabilities, were denied as there was no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to discrepancies in the results of previous VA examinations, which may indicate inadequate representation of his hearing impairment levels.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, but his claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.