Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the April 2014 rating decision. The effective date of his allergic rhinitis service connection is set at November 18, 2016.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis prior to October 24, 2018 was denied as there were no objective indications of nasal obstruction or polyps. A 30 percent rating effective from October 24, 2018 is granted based on the development of nasal polyps.,Service connection for a bone and joint condition due to undiagnosed illness is not established, while service connection for bilateral hip condition, respiratory condition, hearing loss, GERD, and headaches are all determined by direct evidence.

The Board has denied a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss meets the criteria for an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment under VA regulations but does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no nexus between his current hearing loss and military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current disability level does not warrant an increase.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,The effective date of service connection for tinnitus is set at August 7, 2018, based on when the Veteran filed his current claim. The Veteran did not present any argument or evidence to support an earlier effective date.,The effective date for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss remains unchanged as there was no factual ascertainable increase within one year prior to the receipt of the claim.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded due to inadequate examination opinions. The case will need to be reviewed with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has previously remanded the issues of service connection for a back condition, neck condition, and bilateral knee condition. These issues need further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is just as likely as not related to his active military service, including noise exposure in combat in Vietnam.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his hearing loss had its onset during service and continued since. The decision also reopened the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hand condition, left ear hearing loss, and degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome are all granted service connection. The decision on left ear hearing loss is remanded for a new VA examination.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing existing records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been rated, but he is not able to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination opinions.

Your claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The appeal is dismissed as the issue was fully resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran is unable to engage in sedentary employment due to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his current bilateral hearing loss disability had its onset during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for right-ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left-ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's GERD and irritable bowel syndrome are granted service connection, while right ear hearing loss is denied. The case for right ear hearing loss is remanded.