Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for varicose veins in the left leg are remanded due to the need for additional evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance of another person, granting his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current disability was not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss disability originated during active service.

The Veteran's right wrist strain is rated at 10 percent, the maximum available rating.,Prior to November 15, 2019, his bilateral hearing loss disability was not compensable.,Beginning November 15, 2019, his bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of current hearing impairment that meets the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Service connection for bilateral perforated ear drums with ear infections has also been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection is granted for tinnitus and lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee condition and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current diagnoses, as well as the need for nexus opinions. The Veteran is also granted new and material evidence having been received to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of left shoulder disability and GERD due to lack of probative value in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his combined disability rating does not amount to the percentage needed to qualify for a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DDD of the lumbar spine, coronary artery disease, tinnitus, radiculopathy, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, including on an extraschedular basis, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, and left ear hearing loss due to inadequate examination reports and missing medical records. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, which is noncompensable. The Board found that the current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of an examination, as well as additional private medical evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic sore throat, and bronchitis are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied an initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 25, 2016, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.