Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus (DM) has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.,Specifically, the Board concluded that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. For hypertension, the Board noted that it was diagnosed prior to the onset of service-connected type II diabetes mellitus (DM).

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple disabilities were denied, and the effective dates assigned are not earlier than February 27, 2017.,VA did not grant an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate as the Veteran did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% prior to February 27, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting evidence regarding delayed onset.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted at a 10 percent rating prior to November 29, 2016 and denied for any higher ratings thereafter. The decision also notes that the Veteran’s age precludes future examinations to show improvement in his hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but these issues are remanded due to missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's claims for a right arm disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and right leg disorder are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of new and material evidence, and because further development is needed. The dental claim will be referred to VHA for eligibility determination, and the hearing loss disability claim requires another VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the Veteran's employability and non-service-connected disabilities. The VA must schedule an examination to assess the severity and permanency of all his disabilities, including their impact on employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability and TDIU have been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not meet VA compensation criteria and was less likely caused by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are related to his service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate addendum opinion and additional evidence needs to be considered.

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 evidence supports a causal link between the Veteran's military service and his present disabilities.

The Veteran's SMC is granted for the period between January 6, 2017 and February 28, 2018 due to having a single service-connected disability rated at 100% with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%. The Veteran had a 100% rating for left knee arthroplasty and other conditions like bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ring finger disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an increased rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left shoulder dislocation, status post Bankart reconstruction with traumatic arthritis before December 6, 2011 and from March 1, 2012 to January 18, 2016, as well as rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a left shoulder dislocation, status post Bankart reconstruction with traumatic arthritis since January 19, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim, specifically to obtain an opinion on whether her current right ear hearing loss is related to active service or caused by military service in any way. The decision remains pending as it pertains to the issues of left and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.