Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The skin disability of the scalp claim was withdrawn, while bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and bilateral cataracts, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were all granted. Increased ratings of 20 percent for both lower extremity peripheral neuropathies have been awarded.

The Board denied service connection for a left thumb disability and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's left thumb disability was not related to service, and his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from August 13, 2019 is denied. The case is remanded to obtain clarification on the February 2018 audiometric evaluation and to provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's vertigo and headaches with his service-connected hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing impairment is related to in-service acoustic trauma and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the death of the appellant, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals at this time.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to obtain valid audiometry results.

The Board denied service connection for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's current tinnitus is considered unrelated to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for chronic residuals of a head injury is denied as there is no credible evidence showing the condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as they are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 10 percent, and the issues of increased ratings for diffuse sensorimotor neuropathy in both upper extremities prior to September 24, 2019 are being remanded.,For the right and left upper extremity diffuse sensorimotor neuropathy prior to September 24, 2019, the Veteran is rated at 20 percent. The issues of increased ratings for diffuse sensorimotor neuropathy in both lower extremities prior to June 22, 2017 are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has granted the reopening of a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that it is warranted based on evidence showing onset in service and continued symptoms since then.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure. The decision also reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim.

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