Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to acoustic trauma sustained during active duty.

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

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims for increased ratings of his left and right knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss prior to May 20, 2011, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bruxism is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, left lower extremity disorder, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), sleep disorder, and headaches have been denied. The Board has not yet examined the Veteran regarding these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted a rating of 70 percent from February 10, 2014 to the present. The appeal for PTSD service connection was withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current disability of either condition, and the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hearing loss disability and his service, including in-service treatment for blocked ears and earache.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete responses in the addendum opinion regarding conversion of audiometric findings to ISO-ANSI standard, and a need for further discussion on the impact of noise exposure from service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability.,The Veteran's respiratory issues with shortness of breath/difficulty breathing when exercising were denied due to lack of service connection and insufficient medical evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing disability and his military service. The Veteran did not have hearing loss during service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a head injury have been readjudicated due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for PTSD remains pending.,PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his left knee/lower extremity and back disabilities, are found to render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU claim with resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a fall with barbed wire are granted. The claim for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) are being remanded because of procedural defects in the VA’s duty to assist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no causal relationship between his current hearing loss and his military service.