Hearing loss decisions — 2020

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has not been evaluated since December 2015, and the Board finds that a remand for an additional VA examination is required due to potential worsening of his condition.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been granted. The claim for diabetes mellitus has been denied.,The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, specifically in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the Board granted TDIU due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his back disability and sleep apnea are denied. The bilateral hearing loss and hypertension claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to receive financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding the service connection for his low back condition. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if the current low back condition is related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the previous VA examination did not consider the collective impact of all his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and obtaining medical opinions regarding his diagnoses.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss with nonsuppurative otitis media prior to November 14, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied. The appeal for higher disability ratings remains before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hearing loss was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has ordered additional VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed cervical spine and seizure disabilities, as well as his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to potential issues with notice of previously scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied in a January 1971 rating decision. The Board has now granted service connection based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE), effective from the day after his discharge, November 3, 1970.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is linked to his current condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50 percent, the maximum available rating under VA regulations. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions, including left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and right upper extremity neurological disability were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease was granted with an effective date earlier than August 23, 2016.