Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since June 4, 2013. A higher 50 percent rating is granted for his chronic pulmonary condition with obstructive sleep apnea and restrictive and obstructive lung disease since November 23, 2009.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his active military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to loud noises during combat.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of an increase in severity during service and the Veteran's civilian occupation may have aggravated his hearing loss after service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residual infection status post right knee replacement are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 0 percent disabling, which is the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his hearing impairment did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating.,Right ear hearing loss was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his sleep apnea is not related to service. The back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current hearing loss that constitutes a disability for VA benefits purposes.

The Veteran's hearing loss and dizziness claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion as the current evidence is not sufficient to decide these claims.

The Board has remanded three of the Veteran's claims: service connection for sleep apnea, service connection for IBS related to Southwest Asia service, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the failure to address whether the assigned effective dates for increased ratings were proper. The appellant must be provided with a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected as it had its onset during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection.

Service connection for a psychiatric disability has been granted.,Service connection for low back, radiculopathy of the right leg, and radiculopathy of the left leg disabilities have not been established.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were granted. However, the claim for a left calf disorder was denied.

The Board has decided that the current rating for bilateral hearing loss is not accurate and needs to be reviewed with updated medical records and a new examination.

Your appeal for a higher rating for your bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed because the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.