Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence shows a current disability, noise exposure during service, and a nexus between the two. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability resulting from military noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his hearing impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus disability and for right foot talipes equinovarus (clubfoot). Service connection for cardiovascular disorder, diagnosed as CAD, was denied due to lack of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU rating and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to July 17, 2017 are granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, with an average hearing threshold level of 34 in the right ear and 35 in the left ear. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the VA audiological examination results.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and right ear hearing loss due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder and other substance use disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted effective from the date of receipt of the claim. The Veteran is rated at 100% for his psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated and found to be no more than Level I, warranting a 0% rating. The Board denied the claim for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence that may prove or disprove their existence.

Your appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed as you have withdrawn your request.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a new examination to assess his bilateral hearing loss due to allegations of worsening.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not due to military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus, but granted service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and SMC have been denied. The effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Veteran's hearing acuity has been measured at Level III in both the right and left ears throughout the appeal period, resulting in a noncompensable (0%) disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a failure to notify him of the rescheduled VA examination, and for further development including scheduling an examination.