Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims was caused by noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, congenital exotropia, cataracts, dry eye syndrome, and arcus are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his audiometric testing did not meet the legal criteria for a disability as set forth in section 3.385.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 12, 2015 and after April 30, 2018 was denied. A rating of 20 percent is granted effective April 30, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year after discharge. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, and both upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes as the evidence did not establish a link to active service.

The Veteran's dyssomnia is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. His diabetes mellitus, type 2, does not require regulation of activities. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to September 9, 2019 and thereafter are denied. Service connection for the claimed conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's hearing loss has worsened since the last examination, and he should be evaluated again to determine the current extent of his condition.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction. The remaining issues of service connection for knee and shoulder disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, and he receives a 10% disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss from December 7, 2011 onwards. However, the prior period of hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to June 26, 2020. A rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is also denied on or after June 26, 2020.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as Level II in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence does not support an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for status post healed fracture of the left fourth metacarpal phalangeal with posttraumatic degenerative changes was granted at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to his current right ear hearing loss, and concluded that he was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a new opinion regarding the service connection of various hearing loss disabilities, including residuals from an in-service injury. The Appellant's National Guard service is also being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for an audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed for the issues of an earlier effective date for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for reflux esophagitis, esophageal stricture, and gastrointestinal bleeding (claimed as stomach problems) secondary to service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder on a causation basis is granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim from October 25, 2016 is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss did not manifest in or shortly after service and is unrelated to service exposure.