Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to unclear reasoning in a 2016 VA opinion. An addendum opinion is needed from an appropriate medical professional.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to inconsistencies in audiogram results and speech discrimination scores.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss before a final decision was made by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he contends was caused by exposure to loud noises on a flight line during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to May 3, 2018, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD as he explicitly withdrew his appeal at a hearing. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for hearing loss of the left ear.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for his hammer toes, plantar fasciitis, and flat feet need further development due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied, and the effective dates for service connection were denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiologic examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, myocardial bridging, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disability were not incurred in service.,Specifically, the Board found no evidence of current disabilities for these conditions at the time of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was also denied, with an effective date earlier than July 30, 2014 not being granted due to lack of legal or factual basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete development and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The claims for upper back and neck, bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome, arthritis, hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions and an error in re-certifying the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at a noncompensable level prior to January 21, 2016 and at a 10 percent level after that date. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence of entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right ankle, and left ankle degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is also considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for tinnitus as the VA examiner found no evidence of its occurrence during service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was also found not to meet criteria for an initial compensable rating.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss disability was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or any presumptive period, and the Board concluded that the Veteran’s current condition is not related to in-service noise exposure. The left ear hearing loss disability did not warrant a compensable rating as the Veteran's hearing acuity has been assessed at Level II.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide updated information regarding his educational and employment history.