Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptomatology. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the current hearing loss disability is related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his head disability (TBI), neck disability, low back disability, heart disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss. The VA will need to obtain medical records, conduct examinations, and provide a new decision based on the additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than August 21, 2018 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision states that no claim was filed prior to August 21, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is etiologically related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The claim for low back disability is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and missing service treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, thus TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in a previous decision.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the Veteran's testimony of potential continuity of symptoms shortly after discharge from service. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining additional private medical records.

All claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos.,For ischemic heart disease and hypertension, the Board finds that there is a possibility of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. For the back disorder, the Veteran's claim will be considered based on his reported in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal.,Service connection claims for bilateral hand arthritis, bilateral foot arthritis, and a vision condition have also been dismissed.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 13, 2011 for the grant of a 40% rating for bilateral hearing loss. This decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran's disability increased in severity prior to his July 5, 2012 claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on whether any service-connected disability contributed to the Veteran's death. The appellant needs a VA examiner’s opinion regarding this issue.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 0 percent disabling, which is the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his hearing acuity did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete private audiogram records. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability needs further evaluation, and his private audiological treatment records need to be obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the hearing loss and tinnitus claims due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their onset during service. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure as a Military Police officer is acknowledged, but further examination by an ENT specialist is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and whether it is proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.