Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have sufficient hearing loss in either ear to be considered a ratable disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and diverticulitis are remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for an addendum opinion addressing etiology, pathophysiology, and whether the cluster of symptoms constitutes a MUCMI.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for scarring from abdominal surgery secondary to diverticulitis is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the claims for CFS, IBS, and diverticulitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of specific issues identified in his notice of disagreement and subsequent clarification. The claims are now pending, with a focus on verifying herbicide agent exposure, obtaining medical records, and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for service connection for PTSD and Spinal Disability are remanded, as well as the TDIU rating claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to service exposure, but there are questions about when it began and whether it was caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of an appendectomy is denied as there is no evidence of any current residual disabilities from his appendectomy in the available medical records.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as he has not submitted any evidence that he has a current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 due to exposure to herbicides is remanded for further development, including verification of his in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot condition (plantar warts) is denied as there are no records showing the diagnosis occurred during a period of active duty.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims of right and left ear hearing loss disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions, missing treatment records, and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and hypertension have been granted service connection.,A rating in excess of 60 percent for voiding dysfunction due to prostate cancer is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to additional evidentiary development being required.

The Board has granted a TDIU from November 21, 2014 to November 3, 2016 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his TDIU claim is moot due to the 100% schedular rating he received effective June 23, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing loss to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of his hearing loss due to potential issues with the examination provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and new research on delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Bilateral Hearing Loss due to conflicting medical opinions and need for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include bilateral eye disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorders (likely including depression and anxiety), and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate examination regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, low back condition, cervical spine condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to additional development of evidence.