Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied an increased compensable evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that it corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation under Table VII of the Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and TDIU prior to December 20, 2016 have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no further action is required as the merits of the appeal are moot.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for right elbow epicondylitis due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's back disability is denied, but his sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected condition.,No new evidence was presented to reopen the claim for sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's exposure to weapons fire noise during service did not produce perceived hearing difficulty or measurable hearing loss.

The Veteran's skull loss due to craniotomy is rated at 50 percent effective August 31, 1992.,Post-surgical headaches are rated at 30 percent from August 31, 1992 to March 24, 1998 and at maximum schedular rating of 50 percent thereafter.,Service connection for benign neoplasm of the left ear with vertigo is granted effective June 13, 2011.,Right ear hearing loss is awarded an effective date of December 5, 2012.,A separate noncompensable rating for a left iliac crest scar prior to June 13, 2011.,Service connection for a left iliac crest scar is granted with an effective date of June 13, 2011.,An increased 20 percent rating for painful and/or unstable scars of the left iliac crest and craniotomy is awarded from December 5, 2012.,The Veteran's motion for revision of the June 1993 rating decision on basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is referred to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The claims are being returned for further development as per the January 2018 remand directive.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to service connection for asthma, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, with no higher rating due to the lack of exceptional pattern in either ear.,There is insufficient evidence to support service connection for eyesight issues including conjunctivitis. The hyperopia was noted upon entry and did not worsen during service.,Service connection for genital warts cannot be established as there is no evidence that they began during service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.,Periodontal disease is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The eye disorder claim is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss in the left ear and increased rating for a left ankle disorder, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a neuropsychiatric disorder was granted. Claims for diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occipital neuralgia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant an increased rating prior to February 27, 2017, and also did not support a rating greater than 40 percent from February 27, 2017, to February 21, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a right leg/knee disorder and hearing loss due to inadequate opinions from the June 2019 VA examiner. Additional evidence is needed, including treatment records and an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent disabling since February 12, 2019. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met prior to this date.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the case to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus.