Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were denied, while his claim for GERD was denied. The appeal is remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

Service connection for visual disturbances is granted as secondary to service-connected headaches.,Service connection for memory loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a back disorder, left ear hearing loss, and right ear disorder due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and service connection claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that he does not have a current disability as defined by VA law and regulations.

The Board has determined that the record is incomplete and requires additional VA examinations to determine the extent of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for vision condition and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw them.,The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, burn scar of the chin, hepatitis, and initial compensable ratings for burn scars on various body parts are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with some potentially related to his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Another remand is required as there has not been substantial compliance.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in both ears and visual impairment due to eye injury, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and he has been granted service connection for mild nonproliferative retinopathy, mild hypertensive retinopathy, and bilateral pterygium. Other issues are either denied or remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting evidence and lack of rationale in previous opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his in-service exposure to loud noise. The decision also notes that the Veteran had a history of tinnitus caused by military noise exposure and links this condition to his current sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives, and will require an addendum to the VA examination reports.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability that is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate October 2015 VA examination, which did not fully address and explain the relevance of all auditory shifts shown in service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, effective September 3, 2019. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date and for an earlier effective date remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 1, 2013. The decision found that the Veteran was gainfully employed and engaged in marginal employment due to her service-connected disabilities.