Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status because his service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, to include as due to asbestos exposure, is remanded and requires further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as his hearing acuity does not warrant financial compensation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noises.,Both conditions were found to meet the criteria for service connection as they have been diagnosed since separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically his in-service exposure to noise from boats throwing grenades into the water.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The decision affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt in favor of his right ear hearing loss, which had its onset during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during active service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The Veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus ratings are remanded, as is his claim for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, IBS, and migraines. The issues are related to new evidence submitted since his last decision.,The Veteran’s attorney indicated that he had not received a statement of the case on these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he asserts began during his active duty.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, lumbar spine disability, and psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. Service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the nature and severity of his ear disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a cardiovascular disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted. The appeals of the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a temporary total disability evaluation following an August 8, 2009 spondylolisthesis surgery were dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic urticaria and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was previously rated at a 20 percent evaluation for chronic urticaria, but the Board found that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7118 or DC 7825. For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran's ratings prior to February 4, 2020 were denied, and beginning on that date, he was rated at 30 percent. The Board found no evidence of exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Board has vacated multiple decisions related to various service connection claims, including those for coronary artery disease, a scar, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, skin rash, and peripheral neuropathy have been remanded.