Hearing loss decisions — 2020

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

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's hypertension, spondylolisthesis L5-S1, and residuals of hepatitis A for accrued benefits purposes are granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted on an accrued basis.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted on an accrued basis.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated at zero percent, which is not compensable. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his symptoms and applied the criteria of the VA Rating Schedule for hearing impairment.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety disorder and PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or residuals from service-connected conditions. The Veteran's prostate cancer was in remission at the time of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded because of an inadequate VA examination in connection with the TDIU claim, which was conducted due to impacted cerumen in both ears.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD with insomnia disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied, and his claims for service connection for OSA and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The case for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder was denied. The initial rating periods for the right knee disability were granted, but not in excess of the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5258.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed bilateral leg condition, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, OSA, jaw disability, and PTSD with acquired psychiatric disorders to include major depressive disorder and OCD have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 100% for his PTSD since February 5, 2014.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is denied for a left knee condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded because of an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability as there is no evidence that he has a current disability, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's Disease, entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, and entitlement to TDIU prior to March 7, 2018. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to April 15, 2019 and a non-compensable rating thereafter. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new evidence supports these claims. The Veteran is now entitled to compensation for residuals of traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder, ulcerative colitis, a bilateral hearing loss disability, and Crohn’s disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of onset or aggravation during active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his National Guard service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.