Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss from specific dates has been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board). The evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the period from March 2, 2002 to June 28, 2004 and from June 29, 2004 to April 12, 2006. For the period from April 13, 2006 to November 11, 2015, a rating in excess of 40 percent was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and tinnitus, as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, hand cramps, diabetes mellitus, and loss of sexual desire due to the need for additional examination and review.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for hearing loss of the left ear and has remanded the issues of increased SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA are being remanded due to the need for further development, including consideration of whether he was unemployable prior to December 28, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as zero percent prior to February 11, 2020 and increased to 20 percent from that date. Service connection for dermatitis was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during active service and is not related to an in-service injury or disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence linking his current hearing loss to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD as secondary to a service-connected anxiety disorder with depression, and denied the remaining claims on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for various conditions as the appellant, through her authorized representative, withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, specifically missing records from his employment at Mobile Gas and Electric. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (personality disorder) is denied.,Bilateral hearing loss is remanded to determine its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, requiring an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because there is no medical evidence showing a current disability. The new evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the October 2019 VA examiner. The claim is also referred to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, with the claim for a bilateral foot condition being remanded. The decision grants service connection for both bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as she did not meet the VA definition of hearing impairment.,Her TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate claims were also denied due to her having multiple disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine. Service connection was denied for residuals of trench foot.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine due to in-service exposure and continuity of symptoms.