Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional audiogram results and clarification from VA audiology experts.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not rated compensable prior to July 6, 2017.,From July 6, 2017 to July 30, 2018, the Veteran received a 90 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted, and the Board has remanded his right ear hearing loss claim due to an inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and the need to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a spinal tumor, as well as for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection for these conditions remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during active service and are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss based on aggravation during service. The claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence indicating that the appellant's tinnitus may have worsened, and because of concerns about the relationship between his service-connected hearing loss disability and his reported vertigo symptoms. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is now pending.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service, and the Veteran did not have continuous symptoms since service. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss is not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not warrant a compensable rating based on VA examination results and audiometric testing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals associated with chemically induced spinal meningitis, finding that there was no current disability to support the claim.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Veteran's lay statements were not competent to establish etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure and that continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the Veteran's hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, and hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's unspecified peripheral vestibular disorder with hearing impairment and tinnitus is rated as 100% from July 18, 2013. He also receives SMC at the housebound rate effective July 18, 2013.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD, initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to TDIU prior to September 20, 2016. The Veteran's combined rating was 100% before September 20, 2016, but no single service-connected disability alone renders him entitled to TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for tinnitus, respiratory disability (asthma), and heart disorder. The decision is based on the evidence showing a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his active service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not comply with prior remand directions. The matter is therefore being returned to the AOJ for further action.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted, and a rating of 10 percent is assigned for left ankle disability. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and eye disability (refractive error) is denied.