Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disorder, migraines, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for lumbosacral strain, and service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition has been granted. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss remains pending as the Board found that more evidence was needed.

The Board has determined that new evidence received warrants readjudication of the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appellant's right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, residuals of a head injury, psychiatric disability (PTSD), methylation process dysfunction, combat training fatigue, and aging disabilities are all denied as service connection is not warranted.,The Board has determined that the evidence does not support service connection for any of the claimed conditions. The appellant's claims have been remanded to allow for further development.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it was already adjudicated by the Board in July 2020 and not appealed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and is not related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all listed conditions, and the Board has dismissed these cases as a result.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his service-connected hearing loss has been consistently rated at Level I, warranting a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records, clarifying audiometric test results from private clinicians, and obtaining a new VA examination to determine the severity of the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

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.

The Board has granted service connection for Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted, with the Board finding that there is a reasonable doubt on whether his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for various conditions, including a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a separate 10 percent rating for meralgia paresthetica. The Veteran also received increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, and gunshot wound residuals. However, the Veteran did not receive a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss or a higher rating for his left knee instability.

The Board has been notified of the Veteran's request to withdraw all appeals, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for broken nose, sinusitis, and skin condition are remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability, rated as noncompensable (0 percent), has not met the criteria for a higher rating during the initial rating period from September 8, 2010.