Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has vacated the July 16, 2019 decision and remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions. The claims are now pending with the RO for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent from August 14, 2015 to October 15, 2015; noncompensable from October 15, 2015 until September 19, 2019; and 10 percent thereafter. The Board denied all claims for higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential incomplete medical records and inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any missing non-VA medical records and schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the VA.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss may be related to service, but an addendum opinion is needed to address studies suggesting delayed-onset noise-induced hearing loss.

The appeal for TDIU is dismissed. The appeals for left ear hearing loss and PTSD are remanded due to worsening symptoms not currently reflected in the existing VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU prior to July 20, 2012 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantial gainful employment before July 20, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a July 2016 VA opinion regarding bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, heart disorder, left leg tumor, prostate cancer, vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea. The Board will seek verification of herbicide agent exposure in Korea and obtain an addendum opinion from an audiologist to address the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss for VA purposes.,An initial compensable rating of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis from June 30, 2010 to September 18, 2017 was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as he withdrew the claim. The claims of service connection for sleep apnea, TMJ disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and dyshidrotic eczema of the hands. The Board dismissed these claims as withdrawn. His claim for TDIU was denied due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not increase in severity during service and were not related to noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lung conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral tibial stress syndrome and bilateral foot disability due to their inextricably intertwined nature.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The Veteran needs a new opinion from an examiner.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not incurred in service and did not manifest within one year of separation. The medical evidence supported this conclusion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral or unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of acoustic trauma during service and no current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA medical examination to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right ear hearing loss. The decision grants service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, but remands the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss.