Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a sleep condition and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Board has not provided a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 1, 2018 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The case is being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran's incarceration prevented him from attending previously scheduled exams, and he is currently homeless.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and service. The Veteran is also denied service connection for a dental disorder.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including increased ratings for migraine headaches and bilateral hearing loss, service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, and heart conditions. Additional development is needed to obtain outstanding records and conduct examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with a numeric designation of Level II in both ears. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within a year of separation from service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between in-service noise exposure and current disabilities. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding audiometric testing results from December 2018 and July 2019 that are not within the CAPRI files. The Veteran needs these records to determine if a higher rating is warranted for their service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for herpes labialis, a compensable initial rating for PFB, service connection for seborrheic dermatitis, bilateral hearing loss, and a respiratory disorder. The issues have been referred to the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that there is no current hearing disability in either ear as defined by VA standards.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to November 20, 2009. Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent from May 7, 2019 onwards. The initial rating for IBS remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is established under continuity of symptomology and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of prior communications or claims before November 17, 2011.

The Veteran's hearing loss was previously rated as noncompensable prior to July 11, 2019. From that date, the rating has been increased to a 10 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's hearing loss remains at a 10 percent disability rating from July 11, 2019.

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

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a change in the Veteran's discharge status, which may affect eligibility for VA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.