Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss, finding that his hearing impairment was at level I bilaterally and did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current disability rating of 20 percent accurately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or a link to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in active service due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran asserts that he developed this condition during service due to noise exposure, but the VA examiners did not provide sufficient rationale for their conclusions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for a higher rating for dermatitis prior to July 12, 2019 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter was also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as they are not related to active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to outstanding questions regarding its etiology and whether it pre-existed service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, attributing it to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and inadequate VA opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claims file must be updated with all relevant records, including service personnel records, and a supplemental opinion from an examiner is required.

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

The Board has dismissed the appeals for lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss prior to November 7, 2019 was denied. After that date, the Veteran received a 20% rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's pension payments were stopped due to incarceration, and he was paid at half the compensation rate. The decision denies payment higher than what VA determined in October 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted a 40% rating from March 4, 2019 to December 22, 2019. The claim is remanded for further evaluation of the condition beginning December 23, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service. The decision resolves all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss as it was granted in full by a November 2019 rating decision.