Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the addition of new VA examination and treatment records that were not considered in the previous decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Board requires these records to be obtained so that the full audiometric data can be considered.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of left ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, and bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and his military service. The appeals are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted. However, the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active service.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his hearing loss does not warrant a higher rating based on the objective test results provided.

An initial 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder is granted effective November 15, 2004. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted effective November 1, 2006. The appeals regarding the remaining issues are dismissed.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his VA Form 9 was untimely filed. The decision also noted that he did not timely appeal the denial of left knee disorder claim.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating, as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations. For TDIU, the Veteran did not qualify based on his combined service-connected disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer due to procedural issues.

The claim of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is reopened and remanded to determine if the condition preexisted service or is otherwise related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his PTSD does not prevent him from performing the physical and mental acts required for employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted prior to September 16, 2019. The Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not caused by acoustic trauma he suffered while in service, and therefore grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence shows an in-service acoustic trauma and a significant positive shift in hearing acuity upon separation from active duty. The Veteran's statements under oath regarding his symptoms have been considered credible.