Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent from November 4, 2010 to April 24, 2019 and then increased to 20 percent starting on April 25, 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not show an increase in the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss disability within one year prior to November 4, 2010.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new examination and opinion.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The left shoulder, right wrist, lumbar spine, and right hand disabilities are remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The gastrointestinal disability is also remanded as it may be related to medication prescribed for other service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, vision loss, hypertension, kidney/renal disorder, heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). However, these claims are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and other development that may be needed.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent since September 17, 2019 and denied a request for earlier effective date for the assignment of a 20 percent evaluation. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent from February 14, 2012 to September 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is being reviewed, and a VA examination will be scheduled if necessary.

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 bilateral hearing loss is found to be aggravated by his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is attributable to service, and therefore grants his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 28, 2013.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence indicating a worsening of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss since his last VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and left leg disability (other than left lower extremity radiculopathy) as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability or a link to service.

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 and that any potential noise exposure during service did not result in permanent auditory damage. The Board also found the continuity of symptomatology argument to be unsupported by the audiometric testing data from separation examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly those related to diabetes and stroke, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board has decided that service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the issue of service connection for sinusitis is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional dependency compensation for his spouse, finding that no earlier formal or informal claim was received within a year of their marriage or within a year of notification of a qualifying disability rating.