Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied because he failed to appear at a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the AOJ failing to address whether extraschedular consideration should be applied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's right and left ear hearing loss is granted as a direct service connection due to exposure to loud noise during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, but his vision loss is denied. The decision also grants secondary service connection for tinnitus due to the now service-connected hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of heat exhaustion. The decision found that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence showing onset during or within one year after separation from active duty, nor does there appear to be continuity of symptoms.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability that meets VA criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation throughout the appellate period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and thoracolumbar DJD with IVDS are all found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has found the previous VA examination inadequate and ordered another one to assess whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and additional records are needed. The Veteran's hearing loss is being reviewed again, including his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), DDD of the lumbar spine with occasional numbness of the lower extremities, and chondromalacia patellae of the right knee due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted, effective from June 18, 2010, through June 13, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and GERD, including service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ is instructed to obtain treatment records from Vet Centers and provide a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin disorder have been reopened. The Board has determined that new and material evidence supports reopening the claims, but remands are required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his current skin disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him bedridden, confined to his immediate premises, or unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Therefore, he is not eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied. The rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at 30% from July 10, 2015 to July 30, 2019. The rating for degenerative joint disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy were both denied.