Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to May 6, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD and left ear hearing loss are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure during active duty. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus as it was likely caused by noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began in service and has continued to the present. However, his bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a disability within one year after separation from service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim for residuals of a right hand injury is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, right knee disability, hypertension, hemiplegic migraines, transient ischemic attacks/stroke, and Bell’s palsy has been granted. The claims are based on direct evidence of a relationship between the disabilities and service.,Service connection is established for each condition listed above.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's forehead scar received a 30% initial disability rating.,The Veteran's left upper extremity scars were not rated higher than the current 20% and 10%. The Veteran's PTSD with cannabis and alcohol use disorder received an increased rating to 70%,Effective from January 28, 2015, service connection for PTSD was granted. Effective dates for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, left upper extremity scars, forehead scar were also granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) were returned to the Board, but as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, the Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed.

The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 40 percent for hearing loss prior to August 26, 2019 has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board made a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including COPD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, gall bladder removal complications, inguinal hernia, left and right knee conditions, rotator cuff tears, and sleep apnea. The case must be returned to VA for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The conditions are deemed to have onset in service due to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for several conditions, but these matters are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent, effective May 7, 2019. His skin disorder claim was denied as there is no evidence of a connection to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral sinus disorder, a bilateral knee disorder, and skeletal arthritis due to lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities or in-service events/diseases related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of increased rating for right ear hearing loss. The decision on the grant of service connection is binding, while the increased rating claim remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss claim, as there are inconsistencies in the audiometric results and a need to consider the Veteran's lay statements of noise exposure during ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for coronary artery disease prior to October 27, 2014 and on or after that date have been denied.,The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.