Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation of left ear hearing loss and service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss, as both ears manifested Level I impairment. For the right ear, there is no evidence of current hearing loss disability meeting VA's regulatory requirements.

The Board has granted the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to acoustic trauma sustained during active service. The appeal is dismissed due to withdrawal of the claim for right eye blindness.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to March 23, 2018 and at 70 percent from that date. His bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent prior to June 25, 2018 and at ten percent thereafter.,Both conditions have been remanded for further evaluation.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a pulmonary disorder due to potential worsening of his conditions since his last VA examination, as well as possible asbestos exposure during service. The Veteran will need to provide updated medical records and information regarding his unit’s transportation to Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development and examination in previous decisions. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of spleen rupture, left hand numbness (to include CTS), a skin disorder of the face and scalp, and deformed toes are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service, and the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service. The claim for total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, right knee condition, left knee condition, and tonsil condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular evaluation available. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his current audiometric findings do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to Agent Orange and related health effects. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a toxicology report from an environmental toxicologist specializing in herbicides, Agent Orange, and other related chemicals.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to loud noise during service which may be related to his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for an adequate VA examination to determine if the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to her military service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic conditions related to those disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left eye disability and denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his impairment did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and eye condition have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a disability rating under VA regulations.,Service connection has also been denied for low back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and mood disorder.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Catholic Medical Center from May 4, 2015 to May 6, 2015 is denied because the treatment was not for an emergency condition and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to incomplete records and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected.,Left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected.