Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling prior to November 14, 2017 and a 10 percent rating since that date.,The Veteran’s vision problems (macular scar of the right eye, glaucoma, cataracts) are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for clarification of which speech discrimination test was used during a March 2018 audiology consult.

The Veteran's initial disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD is granted, effective November 16, 2017. The RO also granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus with an effective date of November 16, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for frostbite residuals, gastrointestinal condition, and bilateral hearing loss due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's hearing loss was found to be at a noncompensable level prior to November 4, 2019. From that date forward, his hearing loss is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied in September 2008 and not reopened. The effective date for the grant of service connection for right shoulder disability is denied as it predates his March 31, 2015 claim.,The initial rating for right shoulder disability remains at noncompensable (0%) since its effective date on March 31, 2015. The Veteran's right shoulder disability was found to be aggravated by a service-connected lumbar spine disability and rated as secondary.,A temporary 100% rating is assigned for the period from January 9, 2020 to February 29, 2020 due to surgical treatment necessitating convalescence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner’s opinion is inadequate, and additional opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for status post ventral hernia repair was also denied because there is no evidence to support a large or massive ventral hernia requiring a belt.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability as it was not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Veteran did not report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability as there is no current diagnosed disability that meets VA criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen his claims of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, and thoracolumbar spine disorder. The left wrist disorder claim is still pending.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, colostomy due to spastic colon and ulcerated colon, and hypertension. The Veteran did not have a current disability of these conditions at the time of his death or during the pendency of this appeal.,Service connection was denied because there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service, no showing of a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and no continuity of symptoms since service. The Board also found that the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset were not credible.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. However, it denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, concluding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, right toe disorder, hearing loss, and eczema as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him incapable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The VA is instructed to obtain Social Security Administration records and provide an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s hypertension and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted due to the presence of a current disability (bilateral sensorineural hearing loss), exposure to noise during service, and continuity of symptoms since separation from service. The Board finds that the Veteran experienced an upward shift in hearing sensitivity during service, which supports presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective from August 1, 2012. The TDIU is granted subject to the statutes and regulations governing the payment of compensation.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding no current disability of either condition at any time during the appeal period.