Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and respiratory disorder. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that his current hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing a pre-existing condition of the Veteran's knees or ears was aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no probative evidence linking his current hearing loss to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and TDIU claims. The Veteran is required to report for these examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his current hearing loss and his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete STRs, which were not obtained. The case is being sent back for further development including obtaining missing records from the Department of Defense-Military Division and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, specifically a lack of discussion in the VA examiner's opinion about whether it is related to military noise exposure or acoustic trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as he did not present evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral hearing loss disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 12, 2012.

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

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The bilateral eye disability and hearing loss are denied, while the acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have left him unable to find gainful employment prior to March 11, 2008. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis from February 28, 2008 to March 11, 2008.

The Board has dismissed the legacy appeals for service connection and increased rating claims related to lung nodules, right ear hearing loss, and a left elbow disorder. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometry results from July 24, 2015. The full test results are needed to determine if hearing loss manifested earlier than October 15, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, and back disorder due to incomplete medical records. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain these records and then schedule VA examinations if necessary.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back pain, and hammertoes. However, these claims are still remanded as additional development is needed to determine if there is a relationship between the disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and examinations. The Veteran's case is not ready for final decision.