Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal on several issues.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, benign prostate hyperplasia with voiding problems (prostate disability), and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected deviated nasal septum is found to have caused his current chronic sinusitis. However, the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and any higher ratings are denied as there is no evidence of more than level II or III hearing in either ear during the relevant periods.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing acuity is Level I in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete clarification and interpretation of private audiograms submitted by the Veteran. The VA is instructed to obtain clarifications from Central Hearing Illinois, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, and upload actual hearing test results from VA facilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, heart disease, diabetes, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA regulations.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of a diagnosed condition related to active service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and other specified trauma- and stressor- related disorder are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to military service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were also denied, with no new evidence provided that would warrant an increase in rating.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board denied the Veteran's request for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy, and granted service connection for tinnitus.,The Veteran was diagnosed with blurred vision during service but no current visual impairment diagnosis has been established. His claim for service connection for blurred vision is denied.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims due to new and material evidence. The hearing loss and tinnitus cases are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, special monthly compensation for housebound status prior to July 21, 2009, and for aid and attendance prior to February 1, 2018 are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as a 60 percent disability prior to January 14, 2013 and as a 80 percent disability prior to May 5, 2014. Effective May 5, 2014, the Veteran is granted a 100 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher disability ratings for right ankle, sacroiliac joint, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.