Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing level III hearing impairment in both ears.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his single service-connected disability (bilateral hearing loss) and the fact that he has retired.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, left hearing loss, and right knee disability due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a hearing disability during his military service and the Board found that the current condition is not related to his time in the Army.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss do not render him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of proper consideration of the Veteran's contentions regarding his hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo/Meniere's disease due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide information about all healthcare providers, including VA and non-VA, and a new examination must be conducted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus was denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim.,PTSD claims are being remanded as there is an uncorroborated in-service stressor that needs to be verified.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for pes planus (flat feet) is denied as the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects his disability.,His hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 1, 2004 for the grant of a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA Form 21-8940 and medical records. The Veteran has multiple service-connected conditions that may impact his employment.

The Board has ordered a remand for the service connection claim of bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and opinion in the prior remand. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to military noise exposure, but there are issues with the current medical evidence provided.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic pain was denied as there is no current diagnosed disability.,Service connection for Meniere's disease and bilateral hearing loss were granted with effective dates of May 10, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent audiometric testing and an in-person or telehealth examination is needed to determine the current severity of the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of etiological opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities and/or prescribed medications.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, initial ratings for left and right knee disabilities, and TDIU due to incomplete examination reports and lack of addressing certain aspects in previous examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to an inadequate examination report and the need for a new opinion.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was established on March 26, 2012, when he received a TDIU rating. The Board found that the effective date could not precede this date due to the permanent and total disability requirement.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the audiometric test results and his reports of difficulty hearing others.