Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these claims. The conditions are linked to noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran was granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from March 23, 2009 to November 8, 2011.,A claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the June 2017 rating decision is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new examination and etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's contentions and the nature of the noise exposure in service are also considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to February 17, 2016. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, request private treatment records as needed, schedule the Veteran for a VA audiological examination, refer the issue of an extraschedular rating to the Undersecretary of Benefits or Director of Compensation Service, and readjudicate the TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities, and there is no medical nexus linking either condition to service.,The Veteran reported noise exposure in service but did not have any diagnosed hearing loss or tinnitus during his period of active duty. He also did not seek treatment until many years after discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is due to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of stroke, PTSD, and TDIU due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including an extraschedular rating for coccidioidomycosis (lung disease) and a TDIU determination. The Veteran's service-connected lung disability is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 1, 2007. The Board granted the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His diabetes mellitus, type II was rated at 20 percent throughout the period on appeal. His acute myocardial infarction was rated at 10 percent prior to June 13, 2019, and at 30 percent thereafter. Service connection for an eye disability (glaucoma and cataracts) secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, and service connection for a hearing loss disability were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms since separation from service.

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

Service connection is granted for restrictive airway disease (claimed as a lung condition). The Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service exposures, including inhaling harmful materials like desert dust and burn pit combustion fumes.,Right ear hearing loss is denied. There is no evidence of a current right ear hearing loss disability at any point during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate opinions in the November 2014 VA audiological examination and December 2014 addendum opinion.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically addressing his contention that he was exposed to greater acoustic trauma on the left side of his body as a result of mortar fire during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and headaches, rendered him unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful occupation beginning June 27, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 5, 2015.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the prior remand directives, requiring another remanded for service connection of hearing loss and erectile dysfunction.