Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was granted a 30 percent rating from December 28, 2015 to September 15, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding whether his conditions are related to service, specifically given the combat presumption under 38 U.S.C. § 1154(b).

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss, and the examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for hepatitis C residuals is denied because the Veteran did not meet the required medical nexus between his in-service exposure and his current condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may have been incurred in service, but more evidence is needed to determine this.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and granted a TDIU from August 9, 2010 to September 30, 2010. The appeal regarding the TDIU prior to August 9, 2010 is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to address prior periods of service-connected disability in the rating decision, and because clarification is needed regarding the Veteran's employment history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed.,Service connection for the respiratory disability, to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), granted based on exposure to asbestos during service. The low back disability was also granted as service connected.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the hypertension claim, denied all other claims due to lack of supporting evidence or residuals from malaria, and denied increased ratings for various peripheral neuropathy conditions.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 14, 2012.,An earlier effective date of July 14, 2012, is granted for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service, including exposure to loud noise and bilateral tympanic membrane perforation during service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 18, 2019, and in excess of 10 percent from that date was denied. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating at any time.