Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was previously remanded, and the Board finds that he should be given one more opportunity to complete the required VA Form 21-8940. If still not meeting schedular requirements, his case will be submitted to the Director of Compensation for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and in-service noise exposure, and the claims were not related to any presumptive exposure.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted as the Veteran's lay testimony supports a finding that his tinnitus began during service and has continued to present day.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 12, 2019 and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The evidence did not support granting any higher ratings.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of an increased rating for eczema with prurigo nodularis is remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to January 10, 2020 and at a 20 percent rating thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support higher ratings.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for a pulmonary embolism, claimed as a respiratory condition, is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active service.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with bilateral lower extremity radulopathy and a 10 percent rating for hearing loss effective October 4, 2019. The other claims on appeal were either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major neurocognitive disorder (Lewy body dementia) and bilateral hearing loss was granted with a 100% rating, effective December 11, 2014. The earlier effective date prior to December 11, 2014 is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is due to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee or right leg disability, diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure, diabetic neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities, stroke, and erectile dysfunction are all remanded.,Specifically, the Board finds that there is a need to verify the Veteran’s reported service on a base in the Republic of Vietnam during his period of temporary duty (TDY) from March 24, 1967, to May 13, 1967.

The Veteran's claims were partially granted and partially denied. He received a grant of an earlier effective date for his left knee instability rating and a grant of a 10 percent rating for that condition, but he did not receive a higher rating or an effective date before October 20, 2015.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing loss to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for sinusitis due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 7, 2020 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied. The Veteran had hearing acuity levels that did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to August 7, 2020, but met the criteria for a 10 percent rating from that date forward.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD, residuals of intestinal blockage, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no in-service event or injury to attribute these disabilities, and that the current evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was caused by his military service. The preponderance of the evidence shows no connection between his in-service noise exposure and his current condition.