Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted, and he is now receiving a 10% disability rating. The issue of service connection for his bilateral foot condition was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted service connection for residuals of frostbite with bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's cold weather injury residuals based on a preponderance of evidence in favor of their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to service, but a new VA examination is needed to determine if there was noise exposure during service that caused these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 80 percent for bilateral hearing loss and his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for hearing loss, as it was already rated at 80 percent. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined disability rating met the criteria but he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his age and service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to HIV and its secondary effects, including renal disability, neuropathy in multiple extremities, cellulitis, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is being reviewed due to new evidence.

The Veteran's prostate disability is not related to his military service, including herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran does not have a separate sleep disorder that is distinct from his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable and the Board finds no basis for granting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as the current noncompensable rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure. The decision also acknowledges that there was no significant threshold shifts during service and that the Veteran's hearing loss is not directly attributable to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to have his disability evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right lower extremity disability and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with a finding of Level II hearing impairment. The Board denied the claim for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination and opinion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied. The left ear hearing loss disability meets the criteria for a disability for VA purposes. The case is remanded to determine if there is a nexus between the current left ear hearing loss and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD with anxiety due to military sexual trauma, depression, and insomnia) require additional development. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence of a permanent positive threshold shift during service. Service connection was granted for tinnitus as it began in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, tinnitus, hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and hypertension are denied. The claim for increased rating of headaches as a result of traumatic brain injury is granted to the extent that he is entitled to a 50% disability rating. The appeal regarding service connection for back condition is granted due to new and relevant evidence being submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. Service connection was denied for the remaining conditions: left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, generalized anxiety disorder, migraine headaches, and sinusitis.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or within one year of active duty, or are otherwise related to military service.

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