Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's hearing loss claim is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board needs clarification on the validity of his private audiometric evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent from July 26, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for pancreatic cancer and periampullary carcinoma were also denied, with the Board finding that these conditions are not related to active service, including presumed herbicide exposure.,No rating assigned or effective date provided.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service. The Veteran's appeal regarding restoration of the rating for depression is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and the need for further examination or opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received after the August 2006 rating decision.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,A 70 percent disability rating for service-connected other trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD) from November 22, 2019, is granted.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and left eye disability, but granted a 40% rating for the lumbar spine disability beginning August 29, 2020. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 16, 2016; 20 percent from November 16, 2016 to September 6, 2017; or 50 percent from September 7, 2017 to October 17, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions regarding service connection for various conditions, particularly hearing loss and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The issues of service connection for left and right knee disorders, reflux disorder, and chest pain are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have hearing loss within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease is denied, but he is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 4, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and lack of medical opinions addressing the Veteran's conditions. The issues include prostate enlargement, bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), and TDIU prior to December 15, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss of his left ear is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity and for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 1, 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent effective August 31, 2020. The Board finds the Veteran’s symptoms do not warrant a compensable rating prior to November 21, 2013 or a rating in excess of 10 percent from November 21, 2013 to August 30, 2020. A rating in excess of 20 percent as of August 31, 2020 is not warranted.