Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's heart condition is granted service connection as it was aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric condition. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no medical nexus between the current disabilities and service. The Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure were not supported by evidence or credible opinions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, granted effective dates of April 25, 2011 for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for PTSD prior to February 24, 2015.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's back disability as there is no probative evidence linking it to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased initial rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to outstanding VA examinations not being conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and a noncompensable rating for service-connected acne. The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss meets the criteria for a noncompensable rating, while his acne is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection effective April 26, 2018. The Veteran is now receiving the maximum schedular rating for his tinnitus.,TDIU was granted from January 15, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diarrhea of uncertain etiology due to failure to schedule VA examinations. The Veteran is required to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the right upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy (PN) of both lower extremities.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's claimed conditions manifested within one year after his separation from active service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since the last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed. The claim for a compensable rating is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for another medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 70% since September 27, 2012. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability, knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also includes a request for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance of another person. The reasons given are incomplete VA medical records and inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for erectile dysfunction. The evaluation of residuals from left great toe fracture is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, loss of muscle in the right upper extremity, neck disability, and sinusitis are all being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for other specified trauma and stressor disorder with depressive disorder is granted, effective May 3, 2016. The rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain employment, and the Board granted a TDIU for the appeal period from January 23, 2015 to February 7, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is etiologically related to acoustic trauma during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are as likely as not due to in-service noise exposure.

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