Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, finding that there was no indication of intent to apply for VA benefits prior to April 26, 2000.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets VA criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the TDIU claim is remanded due to a need for updated VA Form 21-8940 and a combined effects medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand both issues for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its inextricable link with the hearing loss claim.

The Board denied service connection for sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation standards.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted at a rating of 70 percent, effective prior to March 26, 2018. Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder has been withdrawn.,Service connection was denied for cervical spine and bilateral hearing loss as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and bilateral hearing loss due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and bilateral hearing loss are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's OSA and right ear hearing loss are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis and an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 70% evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 2, 2019 has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective from May 7, 2012. The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are each assigned the maximum 10 percent evaluations. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypokalemia, bilateral hearing loss, and viral meningitis are remanded due to conflicting medical evidence. The increased disability rating claim for PTSD is also remanded as it may be inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and dental condition for compensation purposes are denied.,Service connection is not granted as there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disability. The Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability under VA regulations, and the claim for a dental condition for compensation purposes cannot be granted due to lack of evidence of a compensable disability.

The Board denied service connection for right foot disability, right ankle disability, scoliosis, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability, toenail disability (left great toe), and shoulder disabilities (left and right) have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability. The claim for left ankle disability has been remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The claims for sinusitis and right wrist ganglion cyst removal are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable due to the audiometric results not meeting criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during service and is related to his military exposure, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus, which resulted from combat exposure, meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU as of June 28, 2007. The effective date is set at this date due to the common etiology between these conditions.