Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to technical issues in the Veteran's hearing testimony and insufficient medical evidence on file.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his hearing acuity is no worse than Level IV in the right ear and Level II in the left ear. The decision denies the claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's hearing loss is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and examinations to address the nature and etiology of his bilateral foot disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and left foot disability due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by his attorney. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather SMC based on aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current disability meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss disability in either ear. The Board also found that the evidence did not support a grant of a higher initial rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA examination and relevant private audiograms, which may indicate additional hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to any greater rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, but has found insufficient evidence to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is found to be the cause of his current vestibular dysfunction disorder. His bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right hip disorder, respiratory disorder (claimed due to asbestos exposure), and acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current diagnosis and reported symptoms are related to noise exposure during active service. The appeal is based on direct service connection rather than a presumption or secondary condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all found to have onset during service. Service connection was granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the cause of death. The appellant must provide a medical opinion on whether any service-connected disability contributed to or caused the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was also granted for residuals of a broken left foot, with the Board noting some pre-existing foot problems prior to service but concluding that the presumption of soundness does not apply.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted a 20% rating from April 30, 2015 to May 23, 2016. A higher rating for the left shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 20% for the same condition after that date are denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has remanded cases regarding service connection for left and right CTS.

The Board has determined that new evidence warrants readjudication of the claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for tinnitus is granted, but the claim for bilateral SNHL is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has decided to readjudicate the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary fibrosis. However, these claims are denied as there is no probative evidence linking any of these conditions to the Veteran's military service.