Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and nonservice-connected pension due to the Veteran's failure to attend VA examinations. The issues will be reconsidered after further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing loss to his active military service.

The case is being remanded due to the need for audiograms from VA medical facilities and clarification of a private audiogram submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to July 8, 2016 and has been rated at 10 percent from that date until January 2, 2020. The VA examiner found the Veteran’s right ear hearing acuity to be no worse than Level XI during this period.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as 10 percent from July 8, 2016 to January 2, 2020 and has been rated at 30 percent since then. The VA examiner found the Veteran’s right ear hearing acuity to be no worse than Level X during this period.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus remains March 13, 2016.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records and his VR&E files, as these documents are relevant to the issues on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral feet are remanded for further development.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and breathing problems is denied.,A rating of 40 percent for residual sprain & strain of lumbosacral spine w/ mild narrowing of L5-S1 is granted, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated VA audiological examination and any additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support an increase beyond the current 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's right hearing loss is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's left hearing loss is granted as service connection due to pre-existing condition aggravated by in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lung condition (including asbestos exposure), and throat cancer residuals due to in-service asbestos exposure. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected. The decision on the hearing loss is pending due to a need for additional examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and lack of consideration of certain aspects of the Veteran's claims, particularly his assertions regarding noise exposure during Reserve service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and nonservice-connected pension due to lack of evidence showing active duty during a period of war.,Bilateral hearing loss was not shown in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no medical opinion linking it to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a new VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected. The left-hand, right-wrist, and left-elbow disabilities are denied. The left-knee disability is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not in accordance with his audiometric test results. The Veteran's condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, migraines, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not establish a direct link to his military service.