Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of additional pay for a dependent spouse was denied as he is already in receipt of the earliest effective date upon which he was eligible to receive such payment - August 1, 2014.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date for the award of a 10% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence showing a decrease in hearing acuity within one year prior to January 7, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records, clarifying service connection, and providing appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of November 26, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the November 2018 remand directives and has therefore ordered a new VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, and whether such is related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's MOS as a tank crewman is noted, but further medical opinion is needed regarding the relationship between his military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and left ear hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 27, 2010 to December 18, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period. For the other issues, the VA remanded them for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to service, and his claims for increased rating were also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for actinic keratosis and lumbar strain, as well as a rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's cellulitis and abscess of the mouth (claimed as boils in mouth) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he has been employed in various positions including bowling alley mechanic for over two decades.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle disorder, and a right knee disorder. The appellant's claimed left knee disorder is not considered secondary to the right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements are at least in equipoise with the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between his military noise exposure and current tinnitus. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing disability.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have a compensable level of hearing loss within one year of discharge from active service, and thus denied service connection on this basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted based on new evidence submitted in June 2019, including a May 1970 enlistment examination showing pre-existing hearing loss. The RO considered the claims on their merits after obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development related to outstanding service personnel records.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not shown during service or at any time thereafter, while his left ear hearing loss is linked to treatment he received in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to an inadequate VA opinion.