Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus has been denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's service connection claims for polysubstance abuse and right ear hearing loss have been dismissed or denied, respectively. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for psychiatric disability (including major depression with psychotic features and PTSD), low back disability, and bilateral shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and whether a reduction in his disability rating was proper due to the need for a new VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's cause of death is listed as 'other sequalae of cerebral infraction' on the death certificate. The Board has remanded the case for a VA addendum opinion to determine if the residuals pleuritis was at least as likely as not related to the Veteran’s service-connected condition and contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and tinea corporis and onychomycosis of the fingernails and toenails (status post total nail avulsion) is remanded due to incomplete information. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions, including any potential systemic therapy related to topical corticosteroids and oral antifungal medications.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss prior to July 12, 2019, and for ratings in excess of 10 percent from that date have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he is still employed. The Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II secondary to herbicide exposure. The claim for an increased rating for hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including verification of periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and rescheduling VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his active service. The claim for otitis media was denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a left hip scar was reopened, but the Board found no causal relationship between the current condition and service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are related to service exposure. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted with a rating of 30 percent, but no higher for scars status post injury to left axilla and left biceps.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 11, 2016 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in the September 2005 rating decision that continued his denial. The Board found that the evidence available at the time of the September 2005 decision did not support a grant of service connection, but new medical opinions from private physicians and VA clinicians provided sufficient evidence to do so.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

Your service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, but the appeals are dismissed because your conditions were already covered by a previous rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and low back disability due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide a supplemental opinion regarding whether her preexisting conditions were aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial compensable ratings for various scars have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has also been dismissed.