Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that a higher rating was warranted during any period of time.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient medical evidence to decide these claims due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran was exposed to noise during his military service, but without access to his service records, it is unclear if this exposure caused his current conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's unspecified neurocognitive disorder with unspecified depressive disorder has been granted a 100 percent rating effective July 20, 2016.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to his testimony indicating that his hearing loss has worsened since the last VA examination in July 2018. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of TBI have been reopened, but the claim for right ear hearing loss has not met the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of $6,990 was validly created due to a change in dependent status and the Veteran's failure to apply for spousal benefits. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing loss warranted a compensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease due to incomplete information and need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a compensable rating based on current audiometric findings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are granted service connection. However, his back disorder and bilateral knee disorder do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disability have been denied. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran’s claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous addendum. The VA must obtain an updated medical opinion addressing the etiology of these disabilities, considering the Veteran's history and assertions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which was not considered in the original decision. The claim will be reconsidered de novo.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for perforated ear drums and an unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, as well as his request for an earlier effective date. The issues include obtaining medical records from prison facilities where the Veteran has been incarcerated since 1982, scheduling a VA examination to determine if current ear conditions are related to military service, and obtaining all available medical records from prison facilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was found to be at Level I, which corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation. The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 20, 2019 was denied. The Board found that the audiometric test results did not warrant a compensable rating.,For the period from April 20, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating to more than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The Board noted that his exceptional pattern of hearing loss in the right ear warranted only a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral arms, legs, and back, as well as for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if hypertension should be service connected.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective from the date of his claim. His bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's right hand fracture with arthritis, left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and shin splits are all being remanded for further evaluation.