Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, a sleep disorder (RLS), and a headache disorder (migraines) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a scar of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent prior to May 29, 2018 and higher than 40 percent from that date for low back strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a separate evaluation for bilateral sciatic radicular pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss is rated as level I in both ears, resulting in a 0% disability rating. The Board found that the evidence does not support an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder (including depression) due to additional development being necessary. This includes obtaining records from his service period in May 1985, private medical records, and VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of asbestosis and hearing loss, resulting in the dismissal of these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable, but the Board granted a 10% rating for the entire appeal period based on VA audiological examinations showing Level II and Level III hearing impairment in each ear.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, rhinoplasty of the nose (claimed as residuals of broken nose), and squamous cell carcinoma were denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, left ear, and tinnitus. The Veteran's shin splints claim was also denied.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition that aggravated during service or manifested within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claim for increased rating of tinnitus received on June 14, 2017, was granted with a retroactive effective date of June 14, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a chronic disease shown in service, and the most probative evidence establishes that his current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active service or any incident therein, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's back disorder, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted. The back disorder is considered to be directly related to service due to a motor vehicle accident during service. Bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not presumed as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service. Hearing loss is presumed due to acoustic trauma during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new and material evidence. However, the Board denied both claims as there is no clear or competent medical evidence that links the current disabilities to military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear is granted as service-connected. The right ear and lumbar spine conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to incomplete opinions and lack of evidence addressing potential service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left testicle removal were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of more than noncompensable disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the lack of audiogram results from September 2015 and November 2017.