Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder (MDD). The evidence received since the February 2011 rating decision is not material.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral hip disorder, a right thigh scar, pes planus, and vision disability due to lack of current disabilities at the time of filing or during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the lack of compliance with previous Board directives and the need to obtain updated VA audiometric testing results.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a material worsening of his bilateral hearing loss symptoms since the last VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination records and for further evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA hearing examination for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran needs a new VA hearing examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, bilateral hearing loss, back disability, dementia, PTSD, and degenerative lumbar spine condition are all granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating, as the audiometric findings did not warrant a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent was already assigned for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause the need for regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on this is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acne, and migraine/headache disorder are remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to an inadequate opinion from a June 2020 VA examiner. The examiner did not consider the possibility of delayed-onset hearing loss and failed to discuss the Veteran's in-service noise exposure without proper protection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of increased rating for hearing loss disability, service connection for sleep disorder, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remands the case for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is the cause of his current hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there are issues with the existing VA opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim due to potential discrepancies in audiometric data standards.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for a heart condition other than hypertension, presumed due to herbicide exposure in service, is denied.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for neurodermatitis prior to February 6, 2020, and a rating in excess of 60 percent effective from February 6, 2020, are also denied.

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 the Veteran's active service.