Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a zero percent disability rating. Therefore, an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral perforated ear drums with ear infections. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records, conduct medical examinations, and determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disability, and a bilateral leg disability are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of an increased rating for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing loss to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,Issues of service connection for headaches, loss of balance/dizziness (secondary to hearing loss), right ear hearing loss, left and right sciatic nerve disabilities, and insomnia disorder have been remanded.

The reduction of the Veteran's hearing loss disability rating from 80 percent to zero percent was improper, and the 80 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU award since January 20, 2012 is moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The Board found that new evidence, including a private audiogram showing current hearing impairment within VA standards, was sufficient to reopen the claim.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted as it was first manifested during service and not attributable to any other cause.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hiatal hernia with GERD, coronary artery disease, PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantial gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating. The effective dates for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are also being remanded.,For headaches and plantar fasciitis, additional development is needed to determine if service connection should be granted.

The Veteran's right and left knee braces are not service-connected disabilities, so he is not eligible for a clothing allowance.,The Veteran’s low back brace was found to not cause wear and tear on his clothing based on the VHA Handbook 1173.15.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) did not contribute to his death by homicide. The medical opinions provided significant weight against the appellant’s claim.

The Board has denied service connection for an eye disability, inguinal hernia, and a scar associated with inguinal hernia. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions on the flat foot, hearing loss disability, and toenail fungus issues.,Service connection for flat foot, hearing loss disability, and toenail fungus are also being remanded as there are outstanding records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 0 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed because the Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable during the period from August 31, 2010 to February 27, 2013. The Board denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right 4th and 5th metacarpal fractures with traumatic arthritis, and a 10 percent disability rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities due to insufficient examination data.