Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus as the evidence did not show a chronic disease in service or continuity of symptoms after service.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. Right ear hearing loss was found to be caused by in-service noise exposure, while left ear hearing loss did not manifest during or within one year after service and is not related to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and insufficient medical records, requiring a new VA examination and additional development of evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus on an extraschedular basis, finding that the schedular ratings adequately contemplated his disability picture and there was no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right ear hearing loss resulting from an August 2009 surgery at the Buffalo VAMC, finding that the additional hearing loss was not caused by VA's carelessness or negligence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because the December 2015 VA examination is inadequate. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss will be remanded for a new VA examination, while his TDIU claim remains inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further examination is needed. Pension benefits are granted as of April [REDACTED], 2018.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent since April 4, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion to warrant a higher rating.,For his bilateral hearing loss, no compensable initial rating was granted as there were no exceptional patterns of hearing impairment present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is linked to in-service noise exposure and acoustic trauma, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from May 18, 2016 and remanded the issue of entitlement to a separate compensable disability rating for social isolation due to hearing loss. The case is now being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not have its onset during service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of right ear hearing loss and noise sensitivity, and obtaining missing audiograms.

The Board has ordered the VA to locate and associate the Veteran's missing service treatment records, specifically his separation audiogram. The VA is then asked to provide an addendum opinion from the examiner who previously reviewed these records.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for tinnitus because the Veteran did not file a VA Form 9 in response to the December 2014 Statement of the Case.,The Board denied the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence showing that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of information regarding his periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA). The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

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

The Veteran's appeal is generally limited to a direct review of the evidence considered by the AOJ. The Board finds that remand is required for the psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and knee claims due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, so his claim for TDIU was denied.