Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's hearing loss of the left ear was denied a compensable initial rating prior to August 10, 2020.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable initial rating effective from August 10, 2020.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for chronic suppurative otitis media (right ear) and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected right ear infection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities and bilateral hearing loss, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sweating spells, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, low back disability, upper back disability, and right leg varicose veins due to lack of evidence supporting service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50% from February 27, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bladder condition, and left ear hearing loss due to incomplete medical opinions and new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 30, 2018 due to lack of evidence showing he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues being inextricably intertwined, specifically the relationship between tinnitus and hearing loss. The decision on tinnitus will be reconsidered as part of the readjudication process for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were each rated at 20 percent from November 6, 2019, and prior to that date, they were both rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not compensably service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis and in-service noise exposure are sufficient to establish service connection based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board denied service connection for right-ear hearing loss, left-ear hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria or a link to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran's hearing acuity is currently at Level I in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and will adjudicate the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which is inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and left ear hearing loss, finding that the conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his in-service noise exposure and there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed injury and the present disability.