Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen his previously denied claim. The Veteran had in-service noise exposure and credible reports of hearing problems since service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is REMANDED for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include sleep apnea, narcolepsy cataplexy, PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorders, low back disorder, and right lower extremity disorder due to new evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's right eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension/dizziness have been denied as service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,While the Veteran reported noise exposure during service, the VA examiner found no significant in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected left ear hearing loss and an earlier effective date, finding that there was no evidence of compensable left ear hearing loss at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, and the hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's lumbar strain with osteoarthritis rating was reduced to 10% effective May 1, 2016, but her claim for restoration of a 40% rating is pending.

The claims for hypertension and heart disease have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of February 5, 2016 for a 70 percent disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran is also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 21, 2012.

The claims for service connection of hepatitis C and posttraumatic stress disorder have been reopened, but the issues of increased ratings for left wrist fracture with strain and left elbow arthralgia, as well as TDIU, are still pending.,Additional evidence has been submitted to support reopening of the hepatitis C and PTSD claims. However, further development is needed in order to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, so the Board has dismissed these cases.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a statement about in-service noise exposure during tank exercises. The VA will conduct a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional information regarding his reported TDY service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective December 12, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating or an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that service connection for tinnitus is warranted. Service connection for a sinus disorder, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2010. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.