Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current diagnoses or causal relationship to service. The case is remanded for further examination of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear and right ear sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition or aggravation during service. The Board also found that the current hearing loss does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reviewed again with a different examiner who must address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s hearing loss had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service, including as a result of conceded in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, so his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various disabilities as they are not currently in a position to make decisions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to weapons fire noise during service, which is considered direct evidence of in-service injury or disease. For hearing loss, the Board determined there was no evidence showing a current disability existed at separation from service, while for tinnitus, the onset occurred with exposure to weapons fire noise and continued since service. Service connection was granted for tinnitus but denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and upper back disorder due to further development being required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied because there is no evidence of current left ear hearing loss related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss was denied due to his incarceration at a correctional facility, preventing him from attending the necessary VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not incur a bilateral hearing loss disability during active service, nor did it manifest to a compensable degree within one year following discharge. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that current bilateral hearing loss is attributable to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder), and sleep apnea due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, allergic rhinitis, postoperative kidney stone, left heel spurs, hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and kidney cyst. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination or evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a complete medical record and potential extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and proper notice regarding the upcoming hearing. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status are also being considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating. For TDIU, the Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and granted TDIU.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD). The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have had their onset in service or within one year of separation from service. The examiner opined that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely as not related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD). The Veteran's reported stressors, including witnessing airplane crashes, were found insufficient to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss prior to January 7, 2020, and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss on or after that date has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.