Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a skin condition has been reopened and granted. The Board dismissed the claims of TBI, sleep apnea, and PTSD. The remaining issues have been remanded.,PTSD rating remains pending due to need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

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 active service and his current hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations. The examiner is requested to consider noise exposure during service, including annual training periods with no hearing protection.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development to obtain an adequate etiological opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise exposure in service. The VA examiner found that it is less than 50% likely that the disabilities are caused by or a result of an event in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all remanded for further examination and opinion. Additionally, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded. The AOJ must attempt to obtain any outstanding audiologic testing results related to his hearing loss and provide the Veteran with addendum opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his ankle and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's prostate condition, multiple soft tissue sarcoma and lipomas, and stomach disability have been granted. However, the Veteran's hearing loss disability and acquired psychological disorder remain unresolved.,Service connection has been established for prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not attributable to his service-connected disabilities, and he did not meet the criteria for additional DIC benefits or accrued benefits. The appellant's claim for aid and attendance or housebound benefits is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown for VA purposes, and the Board denied service connection as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during service. The decision also notes that the Veteran's combat service and credible lay statements support his assertions of in-service onset.

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