Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not warrant a higher rating based on the results of his March 2016 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder impingement syndrome were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss prior to November 8, 2019 or in excess of 10 percent thereafter. For his left shoulder impingement syndrome, he was already rated at 20 percent and no higher.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to noise exposure during his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence, resulting in service connection being granted.,Service connection was also established for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus based on exposure during active military service.

The claims for service connection for high cholesterol, hearing loss (right ear), chronic lumbar spine disability (back condition), sleep condition, right knee condition (right leg condition), and left knee condition (left leg condition) have been dismissed.,The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, left hand disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of PTSD was withdrawn, and his claim for SMC-AA or at housebound rate was denied due to lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting evidence regarding whether he currently has a diagnosis of hearing loss, and because the VA examiner found it less likely than not that his tinnitus is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for various disabilities due to outstanding records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need to provide additional treatment records, including those from private providers. He will also be provided with new examinations related to his psychiatric disorder, hypertension, lung disability, left shoulder, back, knee, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not show that he currently has a disability, and there is no in-service injury or disease related to his claimed condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder have been granted. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions, particularly considering in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and he is granted TDIU. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available.

The Veteran's back disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are all found to be related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and OSA due to insufficient evidence showing a nexus between her current conditions and active service. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether her sleep apnea was aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The issues of service connection for chest pain, stomach/bowel disorder, and vision loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone necessitate regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left eye disability was dismissed as the claimant intended to appeal his right eye rating, not his left eye condition.,Service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.