Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure is dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, lumbar strain, and tinnitus are all dismissed as they were granted with a final effective date of December 1, 2015.,The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure is denied because new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted, while the initial rating for major depressive disorder (PTSD) has also been granted. The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the validity of the recent VA examination results for bilateral hearing loss, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any relevant private or VA treatment records since May 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between her current hearing loss and her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined rating is less than 70% and he does not have one disability rated at 40%. The adverse symptomatology caused by his right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are both contemplated by the rating criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and an initial disability evaluation for residuals of a neck injury with surgery, finding that there is no current right ear hearing loss disability. The issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder and an increased rating for cervical spine disability are remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss on a presumptive basis due to exposure to loud noise during service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are already service connected based on the same acoustic trauma. For the increased rating period from January 13, 2010 to March 19, 2018, the Veteran’s right ear hearing loss is rated as Level VIII in both ears.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the audiometric examination results did not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as his symptoms are related to service exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential aggravation during active service.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is at least a 50/50 balance of evidence in favor of the appellant's claim. The appellant served on active duty and was exposed to acoustic trauma during combat operations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a right eye injury, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to March 26, 2018 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The Board denied an increase in ratings for the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it manifested during service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or within one year of separation.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure during basic training and duties as a clerk.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and a disability manifested by a scratchy throat and cough due to additional development being necessary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 0% from November 29, 2006 to January 16, 2018. From January 16, 2018 forward, the rating increased to 30%. The Board found that a higher initial rating of 20% is warranted for the period from December 14, 2010 to July 7, 2017 and a higher initial rating of 30% is warranted for the period from July 7, 2017 forward.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss.