Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms started in service and continue to this day. The opinion was not sufficient to deny service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate examination. The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being evaluated again for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's October 1967 separation examination report. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining this information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a disability meeting VA standards.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional audiometry results from the Orlando VAMC.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's hearing loss is being reviewed again to determine if it began during service or is related to any in-service event, disease, or injury.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied, and the effective date for service connection of left ear hearing loss was also denied.,The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to his hearing impairment levels.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability, including its impact on sleep patterns and relationships.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran's hearing loss began during or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable rating since June 11, 2012.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, right shoulder disability, and dry eye syndrome with pinguecula and punctate keratitis are granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded an initial rating of 20 percent for his dry eye condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition (leg) is remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not have a direct relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was reduced from an 80 percent rating to a noncompensable (0%) rating effective September 1, 2015. The reduction was proper as the evidence showed improvement in his hearing acuity.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a higher rating, but the Board finds that a remand is required to provide him with an examination to assess the current level of severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible link between the condition and his treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of his tongue. The claim for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue is granted based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran's dental disorder, resulting from radiation treatment for his service-connected squamous cell carcinoma, is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to asbestos in service, but denied service connection for COPD as it is not related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for issues related to effective dates and service connection.,The Board has also remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU based on migraine headaches.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant an extraschedular rating and that the established schedular criteria adequately described the severity of the disability.