Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it was not shown to be related to service, and the Veteran did not meet the one-year presumption for chronic diseases.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically hazardous noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his pre-existing hearing loss did not increase in severity during his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 21, 2011 is remanded as the evidence shows he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for an initial determination on whether TDIU is warranted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis, low back degenerative disc disease, left ear hearing loss, and denied service connection for a bilateral elbow condition and right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his in-service experiences and ongoing symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current ringing in his ears since service is as likely as not due to exposure to noise during military service. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued since then. The decision is based on credible testimony from the Veteran regarding his exposure to noise in service and subsequent development of hearing impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's May 2017 substantive appeal was not timely filed, and thus, the appeals for earlier effective dates are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the other issues due to outstanding medical questions.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor and service connection for PTSD has been granted. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's COPD is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His hearing loss of the left ear is also rated at non-compensable.,The Veteran has been found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities from October 20, 2010 to October 8, 2013 and this TDIU status is granted.,Right knee condition and left ankle condition are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 31, 2013, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's tables for rating hearing loss disabilities, and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.