Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's pes planus was granted service connection as it pre-existed his military service and worsened during active duty. Service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it does not constitute a disability. Right ear hearing loss has been established as related to service.,Bilateral shoulder, elbow, and knee conditions are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine their etiology. The Veteran's eye disorder, including residuals of cataract surgery, also requires further examination to assess its relationship with his diabetes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent since March 27, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not show a level of hearing impairment in excess of what warranted a non-compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of in-service noise exposure. Service connection was also denied for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities as there is no probative evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder (calcified granulomatous disease and chronic cough) is remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted. However, the claims were denied on the merits as there is no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's left hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,His coronary artery bypass graft surgery has also been granted a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no causal relationship between the current disabilities and the appellant's in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective September 18, 2013. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete examination results.

The Board denied an increased rating for Meniere’s disease prior to March 20, 2018, as the Veteran did not have a cerebellar gait that would warrant a higher disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6205.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the current schedular evaluations adequately reflected his disability levels, and no extraschedular consideration was warranted.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to prostate cancer, thyroid condition, bilateral cataracts disability, respiratory condition (blood clots in the lungs), bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, left corneal dystrophy, hypertension, hernia condition, residuals of gallbladder removal, and residuals of electric shock. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete or inaccurate factual bases for previous opinions.

The Board has withdrawn all claims related to the Veteran's service connection and disability rating appeals due to his withdrawal requests. The right knee disorder, bilateral foot fungus, and prostate condition (claimed as large prostate) claims have been reopened based on new evidence submitted since their last denial.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically focusing on whether his hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for residuals of a head injury and unbalanced gait are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a mental health disorder manifesting as ADHD, a left knee disability, and dyshidrotic eczema.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.