Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and pes planus due to insufficient evidence in the most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus is dismissed as he withdrew his claim prior to the Board's decision.,His bilateral hearing loss remains at a 30 percent disability rating, which is the highest possible under the schedular criteria. No higher rating is warranted given the effective date of this award.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for a heart condition, type II diabetes mellitus, and CKD are remanded due to outstanding private medical records from Dr. A.M. and Dr. P.L.,His claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is also remanded as it involves herbicide exposure, but the Veteran has not provided any relevant private treatment records.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for CKD remains pending due to outstanding private medical records from Dr. A.M. and Dr. P.L.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran’s hearing loss was not related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained and associated with the claim file.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of increased disability evaluations and service connection. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to evaluate his shoulder and back disabilities, as well as a PTSD examination and an evaluation of his claimed tremors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a foot condition and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was granted, but no higher.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hearing loss is due to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding and relevant medical records being needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (dysthymia) due to the presumption of soundness at entry into service. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claim for TDIU is moot due to the Veteran being rated at 100% for his acquired mental health disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as his average decibel level readings and speech discrimination scores do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and granted service connection for this condition.

The appeal for a compensable disability rating for service-connected internal or external hemorrhoids, status post cryosurgery is dismissed. The appeals for PTSD and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are remanded. The appeal for an acne condition is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his period of service and has granted service connection for both left ear and right ear hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's exposure to loud noise during military service is a plausible cause of his current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and exposure to Agent Orange.