Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are due to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted effective February 2, 2013.,An earlier effective date of February 2, 2013, for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the validity of previous audiometric results and the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to a lack of discussion on the probative impact of certain studies and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to new evidence received since the May 2019 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 1, 2017 is denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that March 19, 2014 is the correct date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroenteritis, bilateral hearing loss, and cold injury residuals of both feet were all denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or causal link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is related to his in-service noise exposure and service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-service hearing loss disorder was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss in a June 2015 rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to misrepresentation by the VA examiner. The appeal is denied as severance of service connection was proper.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including asthma, bilateral hearing loss, ankle and elbow disabilities, knee disabilities, hypothyroidism, and a skin condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and other service-connected conditions have been granted increased ratings, and a TDIU has been granted for the period from June 10, 2011 to April 22, 2013. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, due to his death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted a rating of 30 percent, but not higher, beginning December 5, 2017. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to intractable medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from October 2, 2006 to May 27, 2011. TDIU was granted effective October 2, 2006.