Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's dermatitis is granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and sleep apnea due to new evidence that may affect their severity or etiology. The appellant will be afforded examinations to assess these conditions.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, right trapezius strain, right ear hearing loss, short-term memory loss disorder distinct from PTSD with depressive disorder and TBI residuals, initial compensable rating for TBI, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease on an extraschedular basis after November 20, 2014 has been withdrawn. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable (0 percent) due to the presence of Level II hearing acuity in both ears, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was evaluated as Level II, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for revision of the August 2012 rating decision which assigned an effective date of July 29, 1998 for the initial rating of 30 percent for service-connected vestibular disorder manifested by dizziness on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability that meets VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from May 12, 2017, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection due to lack of adequate evidence from his last VA examination, which is needed to determine if his hearing loss conditions are related to service or have worsened.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which is believed to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis effective May 26, 2010. The decision found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to concerns about the accuracy of previous audiometric test results and the need for additional VA records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The issues of a rating in excess of 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability and entitlement to total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of increased rating for anxiety disorder and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and left knee strain. The claim for hormonal imbalance to include low testosterone with residuals of fatigue and muscle and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness is also granted.,Service connection was established based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since service.