Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 10 percent since January 30, 2019. Prior to that date, the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's right knee torn anterior cruciate ligament was granted service connection. Bilateral hearing loss and chronic tonsillitis were denied, while the claims for left knee disability, right knee disability other than a torn ACL, and skin disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere’s disease due to insufficient rationale in previous VA opinions. The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or treatment of these conditions during service, but he contends they are related to noise exposure while serving aboard a naval vessel.

The claim to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at zero percent (noncompensable) since June 2016. The Board found that separate ratings for hearing loss under Diagnostic Code 6100 and Meniere’s disease under Diagnostic Code 6205 are prohibited, as the note following Diagnostic Code 6205 prohibits combining an evaluation for hearing impairment with an evaluation under DC 6205.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and need for a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is etiologically related to his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, asthma, and hypertension have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not currently have a current disability of right ear hearing loss or left ear hearing loss for VA purposes. For asthma, the evidence shows intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy but no other criteria for an initial compensable rating. Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to lack of a VA examination.,The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable at all times during the appeal period, and there were no exceptional patterns of hearing impairment present. The Veteran’s asthma was rated as noncompensable based on intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot injuries due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder as the evidence does not show a nexus to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely due to his military service as an artillery crewmember, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability. Another remand is required to comply with the Board’s directives.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that these conditions are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, pension reduction, and debt waiver requests due to a need for further examination and documentation.,Specifically, the Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss. Additionally, he must provide an updated financial status report and any documentation associated with the February 2015 debt assessment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was granted an initial rating of 10 percent.,Service connection for the Veteran’s allergic rhinitis is not established as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Board has denied service connection for a left foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and herniated disc of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file.,Service connection is also not granted for initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are now remanded to determine if these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing supplemental opinions regarding the etiology of various disabilities. Service connection is denied for residuals of a left forearm injury.