Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information about the Veteran's periods of service in the Alaska National Guard, which could affect his eligibility for veterans benefits and the determination of whether his hearing loss is related to service. The AOJ will need to verify these dates and obtain an addendum opinion from a medical examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable, despite his assertions and reports of employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but her bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another or by reason of being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require such assistance.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders and hearing loss should be reviewed again due to procedural issues, but has not yet determined a new rating or effective date.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disability to include PTSD, finding no current disabilities meeting VA standards or evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the cases of left ankle pain, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of left ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II (DM) for further development due to incomplete information regarding service dates and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 40% since December 23, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The other conditions (PTSD and depression) are denied as there is no evidence of an in-service event or disease. Bilateral hearing loss is also denied due to lack of a nexus between current hearing loss and service.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss because the new evidence submitted did not provide a relationship between his current disability and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.,VA burial benefits based on a nonservice-connected death are granted, but the issue of whether higher benefits based on a service-connected death should be awarded is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to May 8, 2013 due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for further examinations. The appeals are now pending before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, nasal septum spur, and non-allergic rhinitis as the evidence did not show a current disability that began during or was related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss to obtain a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during service and has continued since, granting his claim for service connection.