Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was productive of level I hearing acuity in the right ear and level II acuity in the left ear at its worse throughout the rating period on appeal.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is based on the results of the February 2012, July 2014, and December 2019 VA examinations. Based on the audiological test results, a compensable rating is not warranted for this time period.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left knee strain with degenerative joint disease is based on the results of the June 2019 VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine the present claim due to lack of range of motion testing during flare-ups and passive range of motion.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left knee strain with degenerative joint disease is based on the results of the June 2019 VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine the present claim due to lack of range of motion testing during flare-ups and passive range of motion.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected skin disability (skin tags) is based on the results of the July 2019 VA examination. An addendum medical opinion is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his diagnosed skin tags.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected joint pain (left elbow and/or shoulder) is based on the results of the June and July 2019 VA examinations. An addendum medical opinion is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his diagnosed left shoulder and left elbow disabilities.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left-hand disability is based on the results of the July 2019 VA examination. An addendum medical opinion is needed to determine whether the left-hand disability was incurred in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated based on the severity of his impairment as measured by audiometric and speech recognition tests. The rating assigned does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, thus denying the claim for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a left eye injury due to additional VA treatment records being needed, as well as an updated examination. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran’s subjective symptoms are related to his service-connected hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The remaining claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of Asiatic flu are remanded for further development.,The VA examiner found no link between current hearing loss and service, but acknowledged the Veteran’s assertions regarding noise exposure in service and continued symptoms since then.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. Service connection has been granted for PTSD with a rating of 70 percent effective April 22, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence submitted since the last decision. The AOJ must review this additional evidence and readjudicate the cases.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure, but the claim for sleep apnea remains pending as additional development is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.,For the remaining issues, including prostatitis, PTSD, right elbow disability, and erectile dysfunction, the Board has determined that additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs new VA audiological and employment impact examinations.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, finding the Veteran does not have current hearing impairment for VA purposes.,The Board also denied service connection for a cervical disorder, concluding that it is less likely than not related to service or his service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education, prior work history and training.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically related to his in-service recurrent fungal infection of the left ear.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient treatment records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's hearing loss is being evaluated again.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is denied.,Separate compensable disability ratings of 20 percent (but no higher) for moderately severe left and right foot injuries are granted. However, the Veteran's claims for increased ratings exceeding these levels or for TDIU are denied.

The Veteran's appeal of his bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to a request for another examination and consideration of the impact on occupational functioning.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing impairment is due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.