Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of an injury of a toe of the right foot, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not show current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a nexus between his current hearing impairment and in-service noise exposure. The Board also found no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision affirmed the current non-compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, a 10 percent rating for TBI, and a 10 percent rating for PVCs. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, and shin splints for additional development. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remands, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a supplemental opinion from a VA psychiatrist/psychologist regarding the Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for myoclonus (to include TBI).

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing loss did not meet the criteria for such a rating.,For PTSD, the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to January 6, 2016 and in excess of 50 percent on and after that date were both denied due to lack of evidence showing impairment warranting higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The appellant is entitled to a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) that considers all the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition due to new evidence received since his previous denial.,The Veteran contends that he injured his back while shoveling gravel during military service, and now seeks service connection for this injury.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, GERD, right knee disability, left knee disability, and elevated cholesterol. The remaining issues were remanded.,The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, right lower extremity circulatory disability, left lower extremity circulatory disability, and low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and a dental condition (claimed as due to exposure to mercury). The evidence submitted since the August 2012 rating decision was not new or material.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ear hearing loss due to uncertainty regarding whether his pre-existing hearing loss existed prior to military service. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and opinions from a medical professional.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods prior to and since August 26, 2011 were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a combined 100% disability rating due to multiple service-connected conditions.