Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for assistance in obtaining them. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is now pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records, specifically missing audiograms from February 2013. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and document their unavailability if necessary.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD). The appeal as to the initial compensable evaluation for service-connected residuals, fracture right 5th metatarsal and left 5th metatarsal is remanded. The appeal as to the initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to the tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA audiometric records and ensuring that all pertinent evidence is included in the claims file. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, a TDIU prior to December 18, 2008, and SMC at the housebound rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to October 21, 2016 are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional evidence being received.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disability due to these conditions attributable to active service. The Veteran's stomach cancer is remanded for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on its relationship to active service.,Service connection for stomach cancer is remanded as the October 2015 VA examination did not address this issue.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss based on new and material evidence has been dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were granted service connection effective June 19, 2008. A 30% rating was assigned for the entire appeal period prior to February 10, 2015, with a 40% rating beginning February 10, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was granted. His claims for depression, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral otitis media ear damage were denied. Service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Veteran's throat disability, COPD, and GERD are not service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss is rated as Level I in each ear.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted service connection. Right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney condition, peripheral neuropathy of the hands, and feet as a result of exposure to herbicides are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure are credible and consistent with his service. The evidence supports a finding that each disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service and no link between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with other claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his military service. A new VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.