Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which may be related to his military service. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, so his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU is granted. The Board found the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms being less severe than those warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of chronic hearing loss in service or within one year after separation. The current hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for a disability and the Veteran's lay statements were deemed insufficient to establish causation.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea to include as secondary to PTSD are denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD is granted but the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active service. However, the Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to a lack of evidence linking it to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the VA audiological examinations did not show any worsening of his hearing impairment beyond Level I in both ears.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in the VA examiner's opinion and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss condition, and a new examination is required to determine if he meets the VA-defined criteria for this disability.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, upper gastrointestinal disability (claimed as stomach condition), and lower gastrointestinal disability (claimed as intestine condition) due to lack of evidence showing in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, back disability, headaches secondary to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea is not reopened. The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating effective from February 8, 2018. An earlier effective date for the increased PTSD rating cannot be established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral foot disability, breathing disability, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claim for residuals of wart removal from hands was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 29, 2018 was denied. For the period from June 29, 2018 onwards, a rating greater than 30 percent is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or since separation, and the VA examiner found no relationship between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the time period from March 22, 2010, to March 14, 2012.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for neuromuscular disability (claimed as muscular dystrophy) and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection was denied for a dental disability due to lack of evidence showing loss of substance of the maxilla or mandible from trauma or disease.