Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 16, 2019 is denied as he was still employed and able to perform his job duties. The issue of TDIU beginning January 16, 2019 is dismissed because the Veteran has a combined rating of 100% due to asthma with COPD and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of records and an incomplete opinion from a VA audiologist. The Veteran's hearing loss is being reviewed again for possible service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection for hearing loss, prostate disorder, bladder disorder, and TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of examination for Meniere's disease symptoms, and it is recommended that the Veteran be scheduled for an examination closer to his residence or using virtual services.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and remanded the issues of cerebrovascular disease with recurrent ischemia and an increased rating for hydropyelonephrosis, status post left nephrectomy.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including a vocational rehabilitation evaluation that assesses the Veteran's current limitations and their effect on his ability to perform in his occupational field. The issue of entitlement to VR&E benefits is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from January 29, 2014, to November 25, 2019, and a rating greater than 20 percent for the same condition from November 25, 2019, to the present was denied as his audiometric results did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ear hearing loss were aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to service connection for low back disability, headaches (including as secondary to service-connected disability), and residuals of right ureteral lithotomy are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is etiologically related to military noise exposure and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a higher rating for tinnitus, left upper extremity radicular neuropathy, vascular headaches, epididymitis and testicle cyst condition, external hemorrhoids, and left arm scars. Service connection was granted for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for revision of the July 1980 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on clear and unmistakable error, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the original determination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 10, 2017.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded several other issues including ear hearing loss, neck, upper back, lower back, bilateral knee, ankle arthritis, foot/toe disabilities, vertigo, Meniere's syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has decided that the effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and right ear hearing loss should be earlier than January 16, 2014. The Veteran's other claims are being remanded due to new evidence.