Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear findings regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for right-knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, osteoarthritis lumbar spine with scoliosis, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU. The case is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's separation examination is presumed to have been recorded in ASA units, which must be converted to ISO.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, so the case is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and Meniere's disease, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during his period of active duty or within a year after discharge. The Board also found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The appeal to reduce the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 70% to 40%, effective July 1, 2020, is dismissed because the Veteran died before this reduction took effect.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements and combat experience.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to in-service combat noise exposure. The case is being reviewed based on evidence of record at the time of the prior rating decision, with additional evidence not considered due to timing issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral knee disability, and left ankle disability. The initial ratings for these conditions are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and tinnitus, finding the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to noise exposure during his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, effective September 11, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure. The decision does not address any other conditions or issues.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, and knees, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA hearing examination considering the Veteran's now service-connected right ear hearing loss, and to consider the effects of his bilateral hearing disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing acuity is at levels I and III in both ears.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 24, 2016 was denied. From August 24, 2016 onwards, the Veteran is rated at 40 percent for his bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that he does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating prior to August 24, 2016 or a higher than 40 percent rating thereafter.