Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further development due to issues with the previous VA audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, COPD, heart disability, sleep apnea, peptic ulcer, hydrocele, type II diabetes mellitus, urothelial cancer (claimed as bladder cancer), cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The cause of death claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not caused by or related to active duty service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's condition was incurred during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examination reports, insufficient evidence of current disability severity, and inextricably intertwined issues.

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

The Board has found that the VA opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was inadequate and did not substantially comply with the June 2020 remand instructions. The matter is therefore being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted it, finding that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected, with the onset believed to be during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of left hip disability and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new copies of their STRs if available.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD is also being remanded as there may be pertinent private treatment records that have not been obtained yet.,A TDIU rating will be considered, but the Veteran must complete a VA Form 21-8940 and provide any necessary authorization to obtain his private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment has been no worse than Level I on the right and left throughout the period of appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM2 with ED, arthritis of the bilateral elbows and left knee to include gout, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The effective date for the grant of service connection for DM2 with ED was set at July 24, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo with dizziness is causing significant impairment to his daily activities, which may warrant special monthly compensation. The Board finds a need for further development by scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a 60% or higher combined evaluation, but he has been unable to work due to his left ankle/foot disability since March 2012. The case will be referred to VA’s Director, Compensation Service, for consideration of whether an extraschedular TDIU is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of an initial rating greater than 0 percent for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand condition and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the lack of VA examinations conducted in accordance with a July 2018 Board remand. The RO is instructed to schedule new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the Veteran's hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.