Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability during the appeal period and that the Veteran did not have evidence of noise exposure related to his military service that could cause his hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a heart disability (secondary to varicose veins), and an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The Board requires a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service and did not manifest within one year of separation.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the period prior to April 27, 2018 due to service-connected asbestosis. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied and an increased rating for asbestosis remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence collection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no in-service event or medical nexus connecting his disabilities to his active duty service.

The Board has found that the VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss are inadequate and remanded for further development. The issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss are also being remanded due to their interrelated nature.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss has been granted.,Service connection is established for type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, including a lack of recent audiological test results and testimony about worsening symptoms. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and any relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 20 percent disabling since November 5, 2019. The Board denied an increased rating for the period prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to loud noise while on active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle DJD, status-post fracture was granted an initial rating of 20 percent prior to December 18, 2019. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a non-compensable rating prior to April 26, 2017; a 20 percent rating from April 26, 2017 until May 4, 2018; and a 10 percent rating since May 4, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claim for chronic left ear infections with ear pressure, to include a vestibular disability due to inconsistencies in opinions and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disability are found to be related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is not considered due to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left lower extremity neuropathy, and anxiety due to a lack of current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, right thumb disability with flexor tendon entrapment, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for a new VA examination and medical nexus opinion due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The rating reduction from 30 percent to 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss was improper and the 30 percent disability rating is restored. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded.