Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are due to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disabilities, but remanded the issue of a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inability to obtain VA examinations because of incarceration. The RO is instructed to make reasonable attempts to arrange an examination at the prison by VHA personnel, prison medical providers at VA expense, or fee-basis providers contracted by VHA.

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 active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain an additional medical opinion regarding the left hip.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation by reason of being permanently housebound or needing aid and attendance. The combined rating is insufficient to warrant a TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of whether erectile dysfunction was aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the appeal for an increased rating is denied. The Board has also remanded cases involving service connection for left wrist condition, right foot condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, sinusitis, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, stomach disorder, and headaches have been denied. The Veteran was granted a rating of 20 percent from November 5, 2019 for his right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and a grant of 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression/anxiety with sleep disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a compensable rating.,Service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted. The examiner opined that the condition was less likely than not due to service or secondary to his service-connected right and left elbow conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for a new opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his hearing acuity did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to in-service acoustic trauma and resolving all reasonable doubts in his favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to September 28, 2013 for his total disability rating based upon individual employability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence showing he became unemployable within one year before that date or any earlier TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service. The Board noted that while the Veteran was exposed to noise during service, he did not have any complaints or documented hearing problems until many years after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA audiology examination, and the Veteran is advised to cooperate with the scheduled examination. The AOJ should also obtain any additional evidence from private sources.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss contributed substantially or materially to his death, and whether the Veteran's death was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of the VA contracted healthcare facility.