Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no case or controversy over which the Board has jurisdiction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total right knee replacement, total left hip replacement, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no more than Level I hearing loss in both ears.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to acoustic trauma during active duty service. The decision affords the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and therefore grants these claims.

The Veteran's hearing loss and left shoulder scar disabilities have worsened since the last examinations, necessitating further evaluations to determine appropriate disability ratings.

Service connection for PTSD is granted, with the stressor related to combat service in Vietnam.,Presumptive service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted due to exposure to loud noise during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for additional evidence. The issues include PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board found that new evidence received since the previous denial supports a finding of current disabilities, and that there is sufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to in-service noise exposure.

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

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, a heart condition, and hypertension. The reasons for remanding these cases include the need for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the disabilities in question, as well as the need to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the conditions are related to military service or secondary to other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and migraines due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for substance abuse was also denied as it is not secondary or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, while the claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the average puretone threshold being 60 for the right ear and 55 for the left ear. The Board denied a higher rating based on the current severity of his hearing impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic lung disease, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are not currently decided on their merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The decision on whether service connection can be granted will depend on the outcome of these opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is denied as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence linking current hearing loss to military noise exposure. For PTSD, the Board found that while symptoms are present, they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease is remanded.,Service connection for hypertension (HTN) and right knee osteoarthritis was denied as the conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor are they related to a service-connected condition. The Veteran’s BHL prior to December 7, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is also denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis was remanded as the evidence does not show that the condition manifested during or within one year after service. The Veteran’s BHL prior to December 7, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence submitted was not new and material.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service noise exposure.