Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence received after his previous denial, and for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded for additional development. The left knee arthritis and bilateral hearing loss cases are still pending, but the melanoma service connection issue is being addressed separately.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that the established schedular criteria adequately describe the severity and symptoms of the disability. The Veteran's vertigo was not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, but her left ear hearing loss and issues related to low back strain, migraines, umbilical hernia, and uterine fibroids are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being necessary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not show that his hearing acuity warranted such a rating.

The Board has previously denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case was remanded by the Court and returned to the Board, but a supplemental statement of the case was not issued to the Veteran's current representative. This decision orders that a new supplemental statement of the case be issued to the Veteran’s current accredited representative.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for TBI, neck spine disorder, neuropathy/radiculopathy of the arms, migraine headaches, and impaired vision is granted. However, his claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and higher staged ratings for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and left wrist scaphoid fracture.,The Board also denied a request to extend the temporary 100 percent evaluation for surgical convalescence of the left wrist.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his right ear hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, and he does not have a current diagnosis of a perforated right ear drum for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the audiometric testing does not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inaccurate factual premise in the previous VA examination, requiring a new opinion on whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the remand was not conducted properly and requires further development to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, specifically exposure to noise.

The Board has vacated its June 4, 2020 decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to an address issue with the Veteran's representative. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in previous examinations. The Veteran's service connection claim for bipolar disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 22, 2010 did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions as they are not related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied due to failure to attend a VA examination. The Board has vacated the decision and remanded the case, requesting another opportunity for the Veteran to appear for a VA examination.