Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and active service. The Veteran's current diagnoses were attributed to delayed onset of hearing problems unrelated to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lower back disability, bilateral hip disability, hepatitis C, and migraines due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The matter is being sent back for further consideration.

The Veteran's hearing loss prior to February 12, 2020 was rated at 50 percent. From February 12, 2020, the rating for bilateral hearing loss has been increased to 60 percent.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not shown to be of such severity that it warrants a compensable rating, as his auditory acuity does not meet the criteria for any higher level than Level II in both ears.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, including in-service noise exposure and treatment for impacted cerumen. The TDIU claim will be deferred pending this development.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained during his active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to noise exposure during his military service in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is remanded due to issues with scheduling of VA examinations.,Service connection was not granted as there was no evidence linking any current foot or hearing conditions to active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The evidence shows he was exposed to acoustic trauma during service and continues to experience progressive hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. He was not granted any increased ratings from October 30, 2009 to his death in December 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is also denied for a left ankle disability and a left knee disability due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions. The residuals of a left heel condition will be addressed in conjunction with these other issues.

The Board has granted the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these conditions as being related to service.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran served in the Marine Corps and was exposed to loud noise during service, but his hearing test at discharge was normal. He now claims that he developed hearing loss many years after service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinion in the February 2018 VA examination. The Veteran is required to be provided with an addendum medical opinion addressing prior audiometric examinations and their results.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically noise exposure. The AOJ must seek an addendum opinion from a specialist that addresses this etiology.

The Veteran's skin disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were evaluated. The skin disability was denied as not related to service or herbicide exposure. Bilateral hearing loss was also denied due to lack of evidence within one year post-service.,Tinnitus was granted as originating in service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support an increase in disability ratings.