Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is not a correlation between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right foot pes planus is granted a 10% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the disability already has the maximum permissible schedular rating.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied because there is no current evidence of a ratable hearing loss disability according to VA standards.,An effective date earlier than December 6, 2011 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied as the Veteran did not submit a claim until that date.,The Veteran's right-hand condition is currently rated at the maximum allowed and no higher rating is granted.,Service connection for a left-hand condition, mental condition, headaches, or hepatitis is denied based on lack of evidence supporting these conditions during service or since then.,Headaches are not service-connected.,Hepatitis is not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service hearing loss or noise exposure and that any current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale provided by the examiner regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from a different VA examiner.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted from April 19, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also noted that the grant of TDIU did not affect the effective date of special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and the Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and non-compliance with previous directives.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions may be related to service despite normal audiograms at separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to insufficient compliance with previous directives. The case is now back with the RO for further development, including obtaining a clarifying opinion from Dr. Mughni and assessing whether the Veteran can secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities and medication side effects.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, tinea pedis, and right knee disability is denied as the conditions are not etiologically related to his period of active duty from February 1950 to April 1957.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and hypertension due to new and material evidence. The claims are granted as all elements of service connection have been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the claims file and the need for a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination opinions. The VA examiner found no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing current hearing impairment or tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to noise exposure during service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on several issues due to withdrawals by the Veteran. The remaining issues are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left eye macular degeneration is dismissed.,A higher 10 percent rating prior to February 27, 2007, for post-operative residuals of hiatal hernia is granted.,A rating higher than 30 percent as of February 27, 2007, for post-operative residuals of hiatal hernia is denied.