Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous VA examination could not provide a clear opinion without resorting to speculation.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's hearing loss is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since June 12, 2014. The claim is denied for a compensable rating prior to that date and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, to include atrial fibrillation and hypertension due to potential aggravation by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lymphangiosarcoma are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to additional development and an addendum opinion from a medical professional.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and atrial fibrillation are granted. The decision on the hearing loss claim is final, while the atrial fibrillation claim requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examinations and the need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from May 28, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee scar tissue and an initial rating of 70% for PTSD, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70%, the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding the preponderance of evidence against these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is considered to have begun during his military service, while the evidence does not support a finding that his current hearing loss is related to his service.

The Board has found that there may be outstanding VA treatment records and remanded for their acquisition. Additionally, the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and headache disability are both remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for right cervicothoracic pain and tinnitus as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and left ear hearing loss disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, was denied as the evidence did not show that it began during service or is related to in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for a low back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were also denied because there was no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his low back condition was denied as the evidence did not show that he had a currently diagnosed low back disability or bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea due to inadequate examination opinions and failure to address all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's hearing loss is granted as service aggravation.,The Veteran's right foot disorder is granted as it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and COPD have been rated based on their current severity. The Board has remanded the claims for further development to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his hand tremors and acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's service-connected COPD does not warrant a compensable rating as it is currently manifested by mild pulmonary impairment. His claim for an increased rating is therefore denied.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with hand tremors, which are related to his in-service right hand injury. The Board has remanded the claim for further development to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his hand tremors.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is currently not service-connected. The Board has remanded the claim for further development to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.