Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss was remanded, and the case is now back with the Board. The Veteran also has an issue regarding compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of delayed treatment for blood poisoning, including various disorders. No rating assigned or effective date provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and new medical literature not considered. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to December 17, 2019.,From December 17, 2019, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability from January 25, 2020, was denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain updated treatment records and complete audiometric test results for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as these were not previously obtained.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee arthritis were granted, while her claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeal is mixed as some issues are granted and others are not.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, left wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome), right hip, left hip, right knee, and bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all available records from the Veteran’s National Guard service, particularly those from 2014 through his retirement in March 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current hearing loss and his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right fifth finger strain with fusion and bilateral hearing loss due to procedural issues, but did not reach a decision on the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's case is remanded due to the need for additional private records and an addendum opinion. The rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for laryngitis have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and hypertensive heart disease (HHD) as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The decision is based on evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to current bilateral hearing loss, onset of hypertension during service, and causation of HHD from hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied by the Board. The evidence shows that his hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 90% since January 28, 2011. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence did not show that his bilateral hearing loss warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss. The VA will need to obtain additional information and provide updated medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection. The Veteran's right middle finger disability, currently rated at 10 percent, remains denied as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or interference with overall hand function.