Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, despite acknowledging noise exposure during combat. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with major depressive disorder is now rated at 70% from April 20, 2018 onwards.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional audiometric evaluations and a new examination.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, and low back disability were denied service connection. The hypertension was granted a 10% rating. Service connection for the other conditions could not be established due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board found no evidence of a compensable disability.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are not service-connected. The Board determined that these conditions did not begin during service or were caused by his already service-connected left shoulder disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board found no evidence of a compensable disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied because he does not have a disability level of hearing loss that qualifies for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and increased rating for diabetes mellitus are remanded. The claim for an initial compensable rating for sensorineural bilateral hearing loss prior to August 21, 2019 is denied, while the claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for sensorineural bilateral hearing loss beginning August 21, 2019 is also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as the Veteran does not have a current disability, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because he does not have a current disability that meets the threshold minimum requirements of VA compensation standards.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for throat and breathing problems due to dental surgery is denied because there is no evidence showing additional disability resulting from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is not related to his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to an explosion, but there is no in-service evidence of a threshold shift or treatment for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiogram results and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for his bilateral hearing loss disability is pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and audiogram results.

The Veteran's Meniere’s Disease was not incurred in or due to his time in service, and the claim is denied.,The Veteran does not have hearing loss in his left ear for VA purposes, and the claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Tinnitus was incurred in and due to the Veteran's time in service, and the claim is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine the cause of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including in-service noise exposure. The original May 2015 rating decision is overturned and the case is sent back for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, head injuries, left eye welding burns, sleep disorders, low back disabilities, knee and ankle issues. The appeals are related to in-service exposure or other direct causes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50 percent effective November 24, 2014. The Board found the evidence did not warrant a higher rating or an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral retinal detachment, left ear hearing loss prior to September 14, 2019, and bilateral hearing loss from September 14, 2019. The Board also denied service connection for bilateral pinguecula due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the etiology of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claim for a disability rating in excess of 80 percent for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete audiometric results from March 27, 2018. The AOJ is required to retrieve and upload the full audiometric testing results into the Veteran's file.