Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to October 9, 2019 is denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss from October 9, 2019 is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including IHD, diabetes, renal insufficiency, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this evidence.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to inconsistent audiometric findings and the need for clarification of the severity of his disability.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and right ear hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral eye condition, back condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition have been denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for his left hip strain (residual of partial rupture, left hamstring) effective March 5, 2020.,Bilateral hearing loss has been denied prior to August 17, 2016 and granted from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records and exposure information. The Board will schedule medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's discharge from service was not a statutory or regulatory bar to receiving VA benefits, and therefore grants his appeal for PTSD. The status of hearing loss and tinnitus service connection claims is unknown as they have not been addressed on their merits.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and fracture fifth finger, left. The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant higher ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of aggravation during service and the pre-existing condition remained unchanged.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left leg disability, right leg disability, right hand disability, and right rotator cuff disability as there is no evidence that these conditions first manifested during or were otherwise caused by events during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma sustained during active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and examination, including consideration of new evidence that may support the Veteran's claim.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to obtain missing VA and private treatment records, translate relevant documents from Spanish, and provide the Veteran with a VA examination for his lumbar condition. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's BPPV is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the file and for further consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a need for an addendum opinion considering all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's reports of exposure to gunfire during service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's auditory thresholds being within normal limits. Service connection for PTSD is remanded as there are conflicting diagnoses and stressor verification issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant such an increase.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and pulmonary sarcoidosis due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current conditions, which he contends are related to his active duty service, including exposure to noise and herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability in the right ear for VA purposes.