Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The respiratory disorder to include sleep apnea and the left foot disorder other than pes planus are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing impairment that meets VA criteria.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residual nerve damage of the right hand, status post hemangioma removal, was also denied due to the lack of evidence showing more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's endometriosis is rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, and her scars on neck and breast are rated at 10 percent. The Veteran also received a grant of initial ratings for right knee chondromalacia (10 percent) and left knee chondromalacia (10 percent).,The Veteran's low blood pressure claim was denied as there is no evidence of functional impairment due to the condition during the appeal period.,Her right ear hearing loss remains at 0 percent, with a May 2018 VA examination showing her hearing acuity has not improved enough for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The appeal for a skin disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current symptoms, with a finding of equipoise evidence regarding whether the left ear hearing loss is related to service.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions and a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of front tooth was denied in the January 2003 rating decision. New evidence submitted since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether his current tinnitus was incurred in service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability within one year following discharge and no link to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria, and the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service excessive noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to an error in the duty to assist, specifically regarding his lack of formal education which may have affected his employment qualifications.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left eye cornea abrasion, dry eye syndrome of both eyes, and bruxism. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is pending as it was not addressed in this decision.,Service connection cannot be granted for these conditions due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that caused the current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as incurred in service due to noise exposure during his military career.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence showing that the condition either started in service or is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of reopening service connection for right hip condition, left hip condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as they were erroneously placed on the docket through the appeals modernization process.

The Board has identified a duty to assist error that existed at the time of the AOJ's decision on the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a finding that the Veteran had hearing loss at service entrance, which negates the presumption of soundness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to link his current hearing impairment to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, but tinnitus was incurred during peacetime service.