Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as Level II for the right ear and Level I for the left ear, resulting in a denial of compensable ratings. The issue of service connection for sensitivity to light and noise has been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the June 2019 VA examiner's opinion, which did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements regarding noise exposure and his current hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to service. The Veteran's lower back disorder, skin cancer, and chronic bronchitis are remanded for further examination.,Service connection for a lower back disorder, skin cancer, and chronic bronchitis secondary to herbicide exposure in-service are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as any acquired psychiatric disability. The cases are not resolved yet.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent, the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his hearing impairment did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to new evidence obtained during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran had a current disability of tinnitus noted during service with continuity of symptoms since discharge. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing it manifested during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for tinnitus, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to notify the Veteran of occupational records related to his hearing tests, and for further development including an examination.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain audiometric test results from the Veteran's VA audiology appointments in September 2012, December 2013, and March 2016. Additionally, updated VA treatment records from April 2020 to the present are required.

The Veteran's left knee strain is granted service connection. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 7, 2019 and from March 7, 2019 are both denied. The initial rating for dermatitis of the hands prior to March 21, 2019 is denied, but a 10% rating is granted from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted. The claims for higher evaluations of GERD, right ear hearing loss, and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of fibromyalgia is being remanded due to the need for further development.,The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and sleep apnea are being remanded as new evidence has been received that may support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeal was granted on reopening. The claim for increased rating of coronary artery disease was denied. The appeals to sever service connection for scars and atrioventricular block and pacemaker were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, but the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to provide a new VA examination and obtain an updated medical opinion.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which was not adequately addressed in previous examinations.