Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cold injury residuals, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss, make it impossible for him to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's gout was initially manifested during active service and is granted. The issues of service connection for hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, right kidney disability, gall bladder disability, colon disability, respiratory disability, tonsil disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to invalid test results and insufficient examination findings. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee arthritis are granted service connection. The right knee condition is remanded for further examination to determine if it is secondary to the service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a skin condition and hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

For the period November 9, 2018 to January 12, 2020, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,From January 13, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU due to diabetic neuropathy was denied. For the period prior to January 2, 2018, his hearing loss did not meet criteria for a compensable rating. From January 2, 2018 onwards, he is rated at 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim based on diabetic neuropathy was granted as the disability prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed all the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is also remanded for a TDIU determination.,The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).,The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The case will be readjudicated after all development is completed.,The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for otosclerosis with right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on direct service connection as there was no presumption or secondary service connection involved.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging a proper examination by an ENT specialist.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of hearing loss, left ear; service connection for hearing loss, right ear; and DDD cervical spine with IVDS. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with all necessary actions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and seventh cranial nerve deficit with left lid lag disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, eye disorder, and back disorder due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant federal records and providing adequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain SSA records, provide a new VA examination for psychiatric conditions, and schedule a new VA hearing loss and tinnitus examination.