Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely related to noise exposure during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, finding that his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not have its onset in service and was not related to noise exposure during boot camp. The Board also remanded the issue of nonservice-connected pension benefits.,The RO must address whether the Veteran meets the net worth requirements and if he is permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes from the time he turned 65.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent effective June 13, 2016.,Effective June 13, 2016, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, pancreatitis, hearing loss, eye disabilities, and prostate cancer were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and improper credibility determinations. The Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are being reviewed again with new examination opinions addressing a specific military medical examination from March 1969.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the evidence does not fully address his ability to perform the physical acts required for substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The sinus disability issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was about whether he should receive a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that the evidence did not show that his hearing loss had worsened enough to warrant a higher rating, so it denied his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service due to exposure to loud noise. The decision is based on continuous post-service symptoms of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for Meniere’s disease, sinusitis, right knee disability, and right hearing loss due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The other issues remain denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and right leg disability (formerly claimed as right knee disability). The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was granted a 20 percent rating from December 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU have been denied. The appeal is remanded to further develop the record or grant the requested benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions provided by a VA audiologist. The claims are now pending again.