Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Prior to February 19, 2020, the Veteran had a non-compensable rating due to Level I and VII hearing impairment in each ear. From February 19, 2020, he was rated at 40 percent based on Level V and IX hearing impairment in each ear.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and that he meets the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the condition is subsumed in the 100 percent schedular rating for Meniere’s Disease.,For the period prior to June 17, 2019, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. However, these symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, requiring a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU, and there is no evidence of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions. The Board denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining audiogram reports and scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss, have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of a higher rating for thoracolumbar strain and for service connection for a left hip disability and a right hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and urethritis have been granted. The claim for left foot laceration 2nd/3rd digit is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has ordered the Veteran's military personnel records to be obtained and VA examinations are needed to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory condition, including lung nodules. The claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's 2011 lung nodules.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence of a current disability. The compensable rating for left small toe proximal phalanx fracture residuals is remanded as imaging studies are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and thus his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues include service connection for left ear hearing loss, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an arterial disorder and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions addressing potential service connection based on herbicide exposure or PTSD.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities since July 1, 2008. The decision is effective from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including headaches, right knee disability, and shortness of breath.