Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his noise exposure during active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensable prior to May 7, 2019 and a rating greater than 10 percent from that date is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based upon unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded to allow for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and information are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including determining his periods of active duty and Reserve service. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reviewed again with a new, comprehensive medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, chronic cough, abdominal pain, varicocele scar, and appendix scar. The claims will be reviewed based on the new evidence obtained.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied in an October 2012 rating decision. The Board has now remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss was granted effective December 3, 2012. The decision is based on the date of receipt of the claim rather than an earlier date due to lack of intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with Level I hearing acuity in both ears. The Board found that the current level of disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, and residual tailbone injury with forward angulation of coccyx are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is supported by VA and private medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The appeal for left ear hearing loss has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

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

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and hearing loss were first denied in a February 2017 rating decision. The Board finds that remand is warranted due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board has found the NOD received in March 2015 was not timely filed and thus, the June 2011 rating decision is final. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to insufficient evidence on whether his hypertension was caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's eye disability and erectile dysfunction claims are both remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a 10% rating for residuals of right chest gunshot wound, effective from September 22, 2000. The left forearm disorder and bilateral hearing loss claims are pending.

The Board denied a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's condition did not warrant a compensable rating prior to September 3, 2019, and only warranted a 20 percent rating since then.