Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. Prior to June 7, 2019, the Veteran had Level IV and Level V hearing in each ear, warranting a 10% disability rating. After June 7, 2019, he had Level III and Level VII hearing in each ear, warranting a 20% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for hearing loss in the left ear has been denied. The case is remanded due to issues with his left and right knee conditions.,Issues regarding service connection for a left knee condition and a right knee condition have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between his disabilities and in-service illness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or onset of these conditions during service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under any applicable provisions.,The decision concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is less likely related to his active duty service and tinnitus is not linked to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated and found to be noncompensable since December 20, 2005.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities and determine if he is unemployable due to these conditions. The examiner must consider all of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, except for left knee degenerative arthritis, during the period from May 15, 2018 to July 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. A new VA medical opinion is needed that accounts for the noise-induced tinnitus from combat training, which may relate to the later onset of hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right and left inguinal hernia, tinnitus, and hearing loss due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for myopia and astigmatism, thoracolumbar spine disorder, acquired mental disorders (including PTSD), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has restored a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective May 1, 2019. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to insufficient medical evidence in their current evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further audiometric evaluations. The higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending, as it is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service aggravation or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic joint pain, ear disorder (other than tinnitus), hypercholesterolemia, or skin disorder. The claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions during the pendency of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating prior to November 21, 2016 and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent from that date for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service and the Veteran's claim is not credible.

Service connection granted for hearing loss as secondary to hepatitis C. A 100% rating is granted from July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2019, for CFS. Prior to and after this period, a rating in excess of 60% is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ulcerative colitis, asthma, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).