Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a worsening of his hearing impairment to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for vascular surgeries of the lower extremities is remanded due to incomplete records from Copley Hospital.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as they do not result in permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ankylosis of a knee or hip, or loss of use of a hand or foot such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the elbow or knee with the use of a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and conflicting opinions regarding his heart condition and hearing loss. The Veteran is required to provide a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service, with particular attention given to whether they were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right knee disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for a left knee disability, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor and service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective August 1, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD and related symptoms prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clarity in the audiometric evaluation conducted by Dr. D.W. in August 2013, and an addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Maryland CNC word list was used.

The Board has ordered the AOJ to send a copy of the June 2015 supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to the Veteran's attorney at his current mailing address. The appeal is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are found to be related to the Veteran's exposure to loud/hazardous noise in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, along with other service-connected conditions, is rated at 40 percent. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a missed VA examination for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims file must be sent to an appropriate examiner to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has added new evidence to the record and requested a remand for further consideration of the service connection claim for hearing loss. The Veteran's active duty period is from June 1981 to June 1985, and she also had INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 80 percent from January 4, 2014 to January 2, 2018.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to December 5, 2019, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the most recent VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a post status left shoulder rotator cuff disability and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The Veteran is awarded a compensable rating of 10 percent for his forehead scar status post laceration, but denied a higher rating or an increased disability evaluation. Service connection for vertigo and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.