Hearing loss decisions — 2020

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 causing current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and current sensorineural hearing loss.

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

Service connection is granted for residuals of a laceration injury to the right forearm and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's left shoulder, forearm, hand, and/or fingers disability are remanded due to lack of evidence on record. Service connection is also remanded for a right shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to May 20, 2020. As of May 20, 2020, the Veteran is now entitled to a 50 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA audiological examination in 2017. The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

For the period from June 18, 2012 to April 16, 2019, an initial disability rating of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,From October 1, 2013, the criteria for a TDIU have been met due to service-connected disabilities precluding substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his coronary artery disease (CAD), render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual employability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for right ear hearing loss due to inadequate opinion and inaccurate factual premise. Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the exception that the nature and extent of these conditions are not currently before the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives, including scheduling an examination. The Veteran was unavailable for the scheduled VA examination due to medical issues related to prostate surgery.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to December 24, 2016 and from February 1, 2017. His bilateral hearing loss is not compensable.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea and right ear hearing loss are granted as service-connected. The Board found the evidence to be in equipoise regarding whether these conditions arose during military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being necessary, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, foot, and arm disabilities have been denied. A rating of 20 percent has been granted for painful scars on the right shoulder.