Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service noise exposure and current disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and insufficient rationale for the opinions provided. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed again with a focus on their relationship to service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's mental health disorder claim has been granted, rendering the issue moot.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted as they are related to service-connected conditions.,Advanced dental gingival disease is not a compensable condition eligible for VA compensation.,Service connection for residuals of bladder cancer is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or nexus.,Service connection for residuals of head injury (other than headaches) is denied as there are no current disabilities other than chronic headaches.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate previous VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The RO is required to obtain a new VA audiological opinion addressing changes in the Veteran’s active duty audiometric data, his contention that he deliberately reported hearing ability during separation, and other relevant factors.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards, and thus he is not entitled to service connection.,The Veteran has refractive errors of the eye (myopia) that are not considered diseases or injuries for VA purposes. Therefore, his claim for an eye condition is denied.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and a missing VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for service-connected left ear hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for headaches and right foot condition due to frostbite, as additional evidence is needed.

The Board dismissed all appeals seeking service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, allergic rhinitis, anemia with vitamin D deficiency, and other medical issues. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board found that the Veteran has Level II hearing in both ears, which corresponds to a 0 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further evaluation due to insufficient audiometric testing results.

The appellant has withdrawn their appeal for increased rating for hearing loss and a TDIU rating. As a result, the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been evaluated at a compensable level since 2014. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric testing results did not show any worse than Level IV hearing in each ear, warranting only a 10% disability rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in July 2020, indicating satisfaction with the decision.

The Board has denied service connection for cold injury residuals of the right foot, left ear hearing loss, and a left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand disorder is also remanded.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed above due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been denied as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA standards.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied because his level of hearing loss does not meet VA standards. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is remanded due to an inadequate examination.