Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the VA audiology evaluations are inadequate to decide the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as they did not consider the Veteran's statements regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms. The Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed because the AMA does not apply to this case, and he did not opt-in to the modernized review system.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sciatica are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations. The Board will schedule new examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding service connection for deviated nasal septum. The case for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied as his current hearing acuity is at Level II, which corresponds to noncompensable disability.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was also denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during service or is related to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 50 percent beginning December 23, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and adjudication due to new evidence received since the last denial of service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is not related to his active duty service.

Your appeal for a higher rating for your bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has found that more development is necessary to determine the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, as medical records from Richards-Gebaur Air Force Hospital are needed. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition (loss of teeth) and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left foot disorder (secondary to a service-connected left femur fracture), and right foot disorder (secondary to a service-connected left femur fracture).,The Veteran's claim for low back disorder and left hip disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and evaluation of his claims, including obtaining medical records and audiogram results. The VA examiner must provide an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s service-connected conditions and his hypertension.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were granted a 10% disability rating for the period prior to November 3, 2019 and a 10% disability rating thereafter.,The Veteran's residuals of frostbite of the right foot were granted a 30% disability rating for the period prior to November 3, 2019 and a 30% disability rating thereafter.,The Veteran's residuals of frostbite of the left foot were granted a 30% disability rating for the period prior to November 3, 2019 and a 30% disability rating thereafter.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied an increased disability rating prior to November 21, 2019.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a 30% disability rating since November 21, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing acuity warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to October 19, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate development in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from a non-VA physician.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, left ear infections (chronic), and tinnitus.