Hearing loss decisions — 2020

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 denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not result from in-service noise exposure and there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right lower extremity numbness, left upper and lower extremity numbness, poly joint pain in all major joints, irritable bowel syndrome, obstructive airway disease, and fibromyalgia, due to exposures during service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to November 20, 2019, and on and thereafter. The Veteran was awarded a compensable rating of 50 percent for his service-connected tension headaches.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded. The issues will be addressed in light of the new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to it.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, effective April 10, 2017. The decision is based on the Veteran's re-submission of his claims after VA lost his initial application.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, migraine disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for vertigo has not been established.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. As a result, the issue is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to service. The Veteran was provided with a VA examination in October 2018 and January 2020, but both lacked sufficient rationale for attributing his current disability to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as a direct service connection case, resulting in a 10% rating prior to July 18, 2013, and a 10% rating thereafter. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of his condition based on the established criteria.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed for the remaining claims, and a new VA medical opinion is required to address whether preexisting scoliosis was aggravated by service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the case has been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 1, 2013 and a rating greater than 90 percent for bilateral hearing loss from June 1, 2013 has been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure and physical activities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and service connection has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disorder. Service connection was granted for tinnitus. The Board also found that the Veteran's right thumb disorder did not have its onset during active service.