Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise during airborne training in service is related to his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, clarifying speech discrimination test used in a previous evaluation, and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that his current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating.

Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss.,Service connection is denied for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for blood clots in both legs, bilateral knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are now pending again with VA.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).,The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin cancer, an eye disability, PTSD, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also remanded as it involves a mental health condition that may be related to his claimed skin disability.,The Board has not addressed the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability due to 38 U.S.C. § 1151, which was referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted. The claim for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss (formerly right ear hearing loss) is being remanded.

The Veteran's tinea pedis and allergic rhinosinusitis were not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,High cholesterol was deemed not a ratable disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for a back disability, bilateral leg disability, BPH, hearing loss, tinnitus, rash on legs and buttocks, and hypertension could not be established due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or within one year post-service.,However, the Veteran's insomnia was found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, penile conditions, and depression, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for hearing loss, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and effective dates earlier than April 29, 2015 for the grant of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. Additional VA treatment records from April 2019 to the present are requested.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hearing loss of the left ear, service connection for sleep apnea, and service connection for cervical spine condition. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable prior to June 30, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and denied the claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to acoustic trauma during his active duty.,The Veteran reported experiencing ringing in his ears while on active duty and since then. The Board found this credible testimony sufficient to establish service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The appeal seeking entitlement to a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is dismissed. The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for thyroid cancer, sleep apnea, arthritis, and a prostate condition is also dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of her acquired psychiatric disorder claim. The other conditions are now considered to be related to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss during the period on appeal qualifies as level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service records and the need for further medical examinations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, a bilateral foot disorder, a right inguinal hernia, diverticulitis, and hemorrhoids.