Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss. The initial rating for Coronary Artery Disease remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service hearing loss or a link between current hearing impairment and service. The disability did not manifest within a presumptive period following separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service noise exposure and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gall bladder disability, prostate disability, and salivary gland disability. The case is being remanded to obtain missing records and provide a medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating for his ankle disabilities, as well as granted a TDIU based on multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to unclear audiogram standards from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hearing loss was found to be noncompensably disabling prior to November 13, 2019 and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The claim for increase is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that his hearing loss does not warrant a higher rating based on the results of recent audiometric evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions and an incomplete examination report. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to his active service, but more evidence is needed for a definitive opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The claims were reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to failure of VA examinations. The AOJ must make reasonable efforts to accommodate the Veteran with respect to his current confinement and reschedule the requested VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, a back disability, and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed as withdrawn from the Legacy appeals system due to her election into the AMA review system.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to service, including in-service noise exposure and impacted cerumen. The original claim for service connection remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected tinnitus. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on whether the hearing loss is aggravated by the tinnitus.

Service connection granted for hepatitis C and right ear hearing loss.,The Board found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his military service exposure to loud noise. Service connection was granted for this condition.,The Veteran's esophageal disability, including Barrett’s esophagus, may be related to his service at Camp Lejeune and contaminated water exposure. The examiner should determine if the esophageal disorder is as likely as not related to service or any incident therein.,Service connection was denied for a bilateral eye disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, claiming he filed his initial claim in September 2014. The Board previously denied these claims in February 2015 without providing a statement of the case. The Court remanded the matter due to issues with the mailing procedures and the hearing officer's duties.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an administrative error. The lung condition claim was granted with a 100% rating effective December 28, 2011. The hearing loss claim was denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronicity since separation from service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.