Hearing loss decisions — 2020

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but denied for low back disability, asthma (claimed as dyspnea), sleep apnea, and hypertension.,The Veteran's current asthma was not manifest in active service or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to a lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for a disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it began during service and continued since then.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted a 30 percent evaluation since June 13, 2016. No higher rating is warranted at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC benefits based on the need for A&A, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him helpless and in need of regular assistance from another person.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated at 20 percent prior to August 26, 2019, and then increased to 30 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was granted a rating of 40 percent effective October 24, 2018. The decision also denied a higher rating for the period from October 13, 2010 to October 24, 2018.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the grants of service connection and increased rating, as well as attorney fees in the amount of 20% of past-due benefits awarded. The appeal was denied only for the grant of an earlier effective date for tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to issues with scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's point of contact at the prison is SN, but there were delays in communication.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a new VA hearing examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the lack of a sufficient rationale in the October 2016 VA examination regarding potential noise exposure during his military service as a communications specialist.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded due to the absence of an opinion addressing herbicide agent exposure and situational stress or anxiety exacerbating his GERD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety, is remanded as there is insufficient evidence linking it to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's only service-connected disability is bilateral hearing loss. The other claimed conditions are not related to his hearing loss and do not meet the criteria for basic eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his timely substantive appeal was not filed within the required time frame for the issues of hypertension and bilateral ankle, vision, and hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a skin condition of the bilateral lower extremities before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient response in the addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing loss to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, generalized anxiety disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The Veteran is asked to provide additional medical evidence and for an updated opinion from a qualified clinician.