Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right upper extremity gunshot wound residuals and PTSD, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 8, 2015.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of shin splints or right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.,The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease are likely not due to military service. The Board has also determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of blurred vision or shoulder disabilities for VA purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Meniere's disease, and a back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss due to new evidence and a need for further medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear mixed hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's left eye disability and hearing loss have been granted a higher rating, with the left eye disability receiving an extra-schedular rating of 40 percent. The Veteran has also been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during or within one year after active service and were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's skin disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability are not service-connected.,The Veteran does not have a current residual disability of the right inguinal hernia repair that was caused by VA treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to lack of in-service evidence of a threshold shift.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent since December 30, 2012. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating and denied an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent from October 30, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed, and the effective date for service connection is also dismissed.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with other psychiatric disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The effective date of this decision is not specified as it meets the schedular criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and contact dermatitis, both of which are related to the Veteran's active duty service in Southwest Asia. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports of noise exposure for hearing loss and environmental exposures for skin conditions.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board found that the Appellant's current tinnitus arose in service and has continued since separation from service.,Service connection for low back disorder is denied. The VA examiner opined that the condition did not arise during or as a result of service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for a higher level of care at the rate specified under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under any provisions.

All increased rating and earlier effective date claims have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea are not service-connected. The claims for these conditions have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss began during his military service and considering all evidence in favor of the Veteran. The decision also reopened his previously denied claim.