Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claim for hearing loss is granted as his current hearing loss is due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The appeals for other conditions and issues were dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and back disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within the appellate period.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted, but an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is asked to provide an addendum opinion based on accurate audiogram findings from 2015 and 2017.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including bilateral hand disability, knee disability, foot disability, hearing loss, and emphysema due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for a jaw condition. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a jaw condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and thus grants his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing Level II in both ears.,The effective date for service connection of PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety is currently set at December 27, 2006. The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder pain/strain and right knee disability, including as secondary to a service-connected condition. The claim of service connection for hydradenitis is remanded due to new evidence being added during the appeal period.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran’s claimed conditions because the preponderance of the evidence did not support that these disabilities began in or are related to his military service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for tonsil cancer and left ear hearing loss, as well as increased ratings for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The decision also granted a 20% rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol abuse, left shoulder recurrent dislocations and scar, hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The attorney is entitled to 20% of any past-due benefits awarded as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and new lay testimony relating his disabilities to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for macular degeneration, left eye; schizophrenia; and PTSD have been dismissed. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant VA records.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for service connection for stomach disorder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ear pain, right knee disability, left knee disability, and lumbar spine disability have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, IBS, tinnitus, left ankle sprain, and right ear hearing loss, do not render him unemployable as his employment history shows he has been able to maintain some level of education and work experience. The Board finds the evidence does not demonstrate total occupational impairment associated with these disabilities.