Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 28, 2019 and from that date was denied as his hearing acuity did not warrant a rating in excess of the assigned 10 percent or 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues of CUE in rating decisions and an effective date for hearing loss service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current hearing loss and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with effective dates set at April 13, 2016. The Veteran is still denied a higher rating for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because the evidence did not establish a link between his current hearing loss and his military service. The Board found that the Veteran had no hearing loss disability during or within one year after service, and there is no credible evidence linking his current hearing loss to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the issue of service connection for prostate cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a need for additional medical opinions considering recent articles submitted by his representative.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss condition was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his educational and occupational background, thus TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in determining whether the Veteran's hearing loss was present at entry into service and reliance on an outdated VA examination. The Veteran is required to provide information about his healthcare providers, and a new VA examination must be conducted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, right leg disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The Veteran maintains entitlement to these conditions but a current diagnosis is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened, and he is granted service connection for headaches. Service connection for OSA is denied. The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent throughout the period under review. His type two diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling with no additional peripheral neuropathy disabilities. Increased ratings are granted for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.,VA has granted the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred or caused by service. Service connection for hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment, resulting in a grant of TDIU. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the RO not addressing it in the November 2019 SSOC.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. However, the claim for tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.