Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination results for bilateral hearing loss, and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The cases for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence. The Board has reopened the claim based on new and material evidence, but the issues of service connection for cardiac disability and right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,Service connection is granted for glaucoma, with the condition likely related to military service and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea and a need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, as the VA examinations did not show impairment greater than level II in either ear.,The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration was warranted due to its impact on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ear hearing loss disabilities due to exposure to acoustic trauma during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no increase in severity of the condition during service and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to issues with the examination process and lack of information from his last employer. The Board will attempt to obtain a VA opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his audiometric results have not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is readjudicated due to new evidence received after the November 2007 denial.,Service connection is granted for acid reflux (GERD), coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,The claims for service connection for acid reflux, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Veteran's Meniere’s disease with bilateral otitis media and myringotomy tubes is rated at 100% effective August 12, 2015. The claim for a higher rating for hearing loss is denied. An earlier effective date of August 12, 2015, for the grant of a 100% rating for Meniere’s disease with bilateral otitis media and myringotomy tubes is granted.