Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as evidenced by his self-employment prior to retirement. Therefore, the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss of both ears, including on an aggravation basis. The case is being returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it likely began during his military service due to noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service ear infections and his current bilateral hearing loss. The case is now pending for a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied as he is not considered unemployable due to service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were caused by active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for Meniere’s disease and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in the original decision. The Veteran's assertions regarding noise exposure during service are considered, but a new opinion is needed.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not causally related to noise exposure during active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service due to exposure to noise during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show a relationship between current hearing loss and military noise exposure, and there was no significant change in hearing during service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA compensation standards.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the opinion that it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 70 percent, effective October 28, 2019. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board denies his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, and venous insufficiency are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss (BHL), gout, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted, and the claims for shin splints are remanded due to lack of VA treatment records.