Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's melanoma and basal cell carcinoma are related to in-service sun exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions. The issues regarding vision problems and left ear hearing loss have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relationship to service. The claim will be further developed with a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acoustic neuroma.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection and rating determinations as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 26, 2019 is denied.,The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent from December 26, 2019 is denied.,The claim for service connection for a skin disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for an addendum opinion from the May 2020 VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining issues, including respiratory disability, psychiatric disorder, cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, and foot disabilities, are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examination. The Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms are not considered, and additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neuroendocrine cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gynecomastia, cognitive impairment, and a gastrointestinal disorder due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. Additional development is required as an addendum opinion from a VA examiner is needed.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss (right and left ears), right knee condition, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty.,There is no current evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the Veteran's current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for perforated left eardrum was dismissed.,The application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability was denied, as new and material evidence had not been submitted within the one-year appeal period.,The application to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to military noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder with lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine disorder with upper extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for left and right ear hearing loss, as well as a dental disorder for compensation purposes, were denied. However, the Veteran was granted outpatient dental treatment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The decision also notes that the claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine with radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss did not worsen during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current condition and symptoms began during service, with the Board finding in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.