Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims are denied as they do not warrant a higher rating.,Service connection for various conditions is remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection decision was made.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was granted. Service connection for gout and right ear hearing loss were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and skin cancer due to procedural issues. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations and receive additional etiological opinions on these claims.

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

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's testimony and prior evidence are considered in determining the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran was exposed to noise in service but his hearing loss did not manifest until many years after separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional action, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and acquired psychiatric disability was partially granted. Service connection was established for the acquired psychiatric disability (diagnosed as major depressive disorder in partial remission), but not for the sleep disorder or bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran received a 10% disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disability effective July 23, 2009.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The claims for tinnitus, PTSD with major depression based on MST, and sleep apnea were granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate and invalid examination results for bilateral hearing loss, and the Veteran's request for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for tinnitus was denied, as the maximum schedular rating available is 10 percent.,The effective date prior to June 9, 2014 for service connection of tinnitus and left ear hearing loss was denied. The RO reopened these claims on new evidence but did not assign a compensable disability evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ear hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the current level of disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was denied. The Board found no current disability of hearing loss in the right ear for VA purposes at any time since separation from service in March 1991. Service connection for back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (chronic anxiety and depression) due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the accrued benefits claim for service connection for an ear condition, to include hearing loss, due to a need to determine if the surviving spouse is eligible to substitute as the Veteran.