Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran regarding his former employers or medical providers who conducted physical and/or hearing examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 11, 2020 and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss on or after February 11, 2020. The AOJ is instructed to secure any outstanding VA treatment records and obtain the January 2017 non-VA audiological evaluation report from Audiology-Hear Again.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a corrected Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) addressing both issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by his representative in August 2019. The Board also remanded several issues including increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a temporary total rating for convalescence due to post-operative jejuno-cutaneous enterocutaneous fistula.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to September 10, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating or TDIU before this date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his assertions of significant in-service noise exposure are credible and consistent with the circumstances of his service. The Board also found competent evidence indicating that the disability as likely as not had its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinion in the November 2019 VA examination report.

The Veteran's claims for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acid reflux, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and glaucoma have been denied.,The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations or medical opinions as required by law.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to noise trauma sustained during his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities, including ratings for various conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the Veteran’s SSA records and update VA treatment records before readjudicating these claims.

The Veteran's heart palpitations/heart murmur and bilateral wrist disorder are granted service connection. Headaches, tooth/dental disorder, and bilateral knee disorder remain unresolved.,Service connection for bilateral wrist disorder is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease. Service connection for headaches, tooth/dental disorder, and bilateral knee disorder remains pending.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded as the VA examination did not provide an opinion on their etiology. The service connection for tooth/dental disorder and bilateral knee disorder also need further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The reduction of the Veteran's 10% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from January 9, 2012 to November 1, 2014 was improper and the 10% rating is restored.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep disorder, its relationship to service, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and neuropathies were denied as the evidence did not support a link to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no medical nexus between the condition and service.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his causes of death to his active service or any service-connected conditions.