Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus was reopened. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but not for right ear hearing loss or a rating of the lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and PTSD. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his conditions are not linked to military service or any in-service event.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board found that it does not warrant a compensable rating based on the audiometric findings.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability, rheumatoid arthritis (claimed as fibromyalgia), bilateral leg disability (secondary to back disability), and right ankle disability (secondary to back disability) due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings in several service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hip disabilities, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, sensorineural hearing loss of the right ear, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, require additional evidence. The Veteran is to be scheduled for examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the submission of new VA audiological examination results that were not considered by the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing loss was characterized by no worse than Level III in the left ear and Level II in the right ear.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 8, 2013 and from that date onwards was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss in both ears for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's laceration of the larynx and esophagus does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are the direct cause of his unemployment, preventing him from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a compensable rating (in excess of 0 percent) were not met for the period from July 7, 2015 to March 26, 2019 and that the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met for the period from March 27, 2019 onward.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hearing loss is granted due to continuous symptoms since service and the presence of a current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for hearing loss.,Service connection was also denied for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The Achilles heel spur of the left foot, cardiovascular disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, and residuals of hernia surgery are all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient consideration of lay statements regarding symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.