Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for gout, an eye disorder (claimed as poor vision), bilateral hearing loss, hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and a pulmonary disorder (claimed as breathing problems due to hypertension) due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for seborrheic dermatitis was dismissed as his representative requested a withdrawal of the appeal. The claims for major depressive disorder and tension headaches were reopened due to new evidence received since their final denial in February and March 2003.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are both granted, with tinnitus being related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were continuous since service separation and meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection based on chronic disease.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and a right knee disorder, finding that the conditions are related to in-service noise exposure and injury, respectively.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration of a psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest during or within one year after military service.

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

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found no CUE in the August 1984 rating decision and determined that the proper effective date is October 20, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for mallet finger of the right middle finger, but denied an increased rating. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for bilateral foot and hearing loss.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities during the period from May 4, 2010 to August 21, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU for this period based on the severity of his PTSD and other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition affecting the legs and feet, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The decision also noted that the Veteran's right knee disability was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the examiner did not provide a link between service and symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's case for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence and conflicting information from previous examinations. A new VA examination must be conducted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found no current disability of impaired hearing in the right ear for VA purposes, and determined that the Veteran’s PTSD does not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating. Additionally, there is no evidence to support a compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss is denied. The VA examiner found the Veteran had Level II hearing loss in his left ear and Level I in his right ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.