Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied as new and material evidence was not received. His claim of headaches is granted, but the issue of increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and bilateral otitis media, as well as TDIU, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete service treatment records, lack of audiograms in those records, and the Veteran's inability to assist further. The Board also requested a new opinion on both issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Board concludes that the preponderance of the evidence is against his claims of service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral ankle and lower leg disability, as well as respiratory disorder (to include asthma).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of these conditions have been present since his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from November 29, 2007 to January 8, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

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

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to active service. The Veteran's prostate cancer, impotency, urinary continence, and residuals of fractured left knee are also remanded for further development.,Service connection for prostate cancer, impotency (secondary to prostate cancer), urinary continence (secondary to prostate cancer), and residuals of fractured left knee (including arthritis) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lumbosacral epidural abscess, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, left ankle osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss were incurred during active duty service or active duty for training. The Board remanded to obtain additional records and conduct further medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and other conditions were denied. The case was remanded for further development on several issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to provide an addendum opinion from a VA otologist that addresses whether his current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and if it manifested within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions in previous determinations.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions and the need for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, mandating that the Veteran shall be entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision grants this claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and a skin disorder of the feet is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate development, including not scheduling a VA examination as requested in prior remands.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and TDIU. The Veteran is also being requested to provide additional information regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 7, 2013, for a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The appeal for an effective date prior to January 7, 2013, for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.