Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted, and service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Specifically, a medical examination is required to determine if there is a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted, but his claims for hearing loss and GERD have not. The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for right elbow disability and left elbow disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by service or preexisted service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus as secondary to the now service-connected hearing loss disability, and a bilateral foot disorder (hallux valgus and pes planus) due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's psoriasis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are not currently service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of recent examination for hearing loss, and thus requires additional medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 50 percent prior to May 2, 2018 and denied in excess of that rating after May 2, 2018. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has vacated the dismissal of the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to his death during appeal. The claims are now remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hematuria, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, trichomoniasis/yeast infection, and anemia due to unresolved evidentiary or procedural development.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's Meniere’s syndrome with tinnitus and left ear hearing loss was rated at 60 percent for the period starting September 1, 2012 and ending July 14, 2015. The Board granted a rating of 100 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as they did not manifest during service or within one year of separation. The Veteran's ichthyosis was noted prior to service and is considered a pre-existing condition.,Service connection for the Veteran's ichthyosis cannot be granted because it existed before service and there is no evidence that it worsened during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his active naval service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence to support his assertions or that his conditions are related to service. The Veteran was granted a TDIU and basic eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing loss is currently rated at 0 percent (noncompensable).

The Veteran's hearing loss preexisted service but did not worsen therein beyond its natural progression, so the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The appeal for service connection of multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the case to consider an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.