Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inaccuracies in the Veteran's service treatment records and insufficient analysis regarding his left ear hearing loss. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable.,The Veteran's left ankle condition is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of bilateral hearing loss due to potential delayed-onset noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and right knee disability due to incomplete rationale in the VA examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of performing daily activities or require regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is causally related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is presumed exposed to noise during his active duty, but there are no in-service audiograms or complaints of hearing issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic tonsillitis, did not render him unemployable prior to July 18, 2019. The Board found that the evidence does not show anything out of the ordinary or not average in his situation as a result of these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss is attributable to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise levels, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for sleep disorder to include sleep apnea, ulcerative colitis, and anemia. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is presumed due to acoustic trauma from his military service as a cannoneer in the United States Army, including while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to potential conflicts of interest in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address noise exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed again for proper consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to March 25, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran was able to maintain his employment due to other non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted as service connected.,Service connection for a bilateral foot condition remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for complaints or findings of hearing loss and tinnitus, but his current disabilities may be related to in-service noise exposure during training sessions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at noncompensable (0%) due to the severity of his hearing impairment not warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for prostate disability, left knee disability, kidney disability, and skin cancer of the left ear are denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's left knee disability remains unconnected to his military service. The Board finds that his current symptoms do not correlate with his service record and are less likely related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin disability, erectile dysfunction, and right knee disability. The Veteran did not have a current disability in these conditions at the time of his claims or during their pendency.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted in June 2020. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.