Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine have been granted service connection. The remaining issues, including bilateral ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, and headache disability, are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence shows current bilateral hearing loss, in-service acoustic trauma exposure, and gradual symptoms since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and degenerative joint disease (DJD) due to new evidence or further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. Issues related to the rating of TBI, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and service connection for exotropia and refractive error, athlete's foot, and cataracts are addressed.,The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his traumatic brain injury from March 25, 2013 to January 31, 2020. The AOJ has also denied the effective date claims related to bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus type II is denied, but service connection is granted for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection is also granted for GERD, CAD, and ED secondary to DM II.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has ordered a remand to evaluate the current severity of his hearing loss and any functional limitations.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition warranted a higher rating during any period of time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss as new and material evidence was not received, and the evidence of record did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis B, ulcers, and hepatitis C. The decision found no current disability related to these conditions that began during or was aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active service.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran currently meets the criteria for a hearing loss disability in his left ear for VA purposes. The examiner must address whether the Veteran’s gastrointestinal, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner must address whether these symptoms are attributable to a diagnosed condition with both an etiology and pathophysiology that is at least partially understood in the context of the Veteran’s unique circumstances.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner must address whether these symptoms are attributable to a diagnosed condition with both an etiology and pathophysiology that is at least partially understood in the context of the Veteran’s unique circumstances.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner must address whether these symptoms are attributable to a diagnosed condition with both an etiology and pathophysiology that is at least partially understood in the context of the Veteran’s unique circumstances.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IBS, low back disorder, lumbar radiculopathy, left knee strain, and residuals of left ankle fracture, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and clarification of private audiological evaluations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and that any potential in-service injury did not result in a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year of separation from service. The Board also found that the Veteran’s statements regarding causation were not competent as they are not capable of lay observation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of bilateral hearing loss by in-service noise exposure and tinnitus. The Veteran's service records show no evidence of hearing problems during or immediately after service, but he reported in-service noise exposure and current symptoms of tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records relevant to his disability benefits claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that there is no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his audiometric testing results did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and scleroderma due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service connection claim for these conditions is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be returned for an addendum opinion.