Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable initial disability rating as it is currently manifested by no worse than level II in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as non-compensable, and right ear hearing loss has been granted service connection. The decision also notes that the Veteran reported a history of hearing impairment dating back to the 1990s.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout of the bilateral feet has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of gout.,Service connection for inguinal hernia was also denied due to lack of evidence showing worsening during or since service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from prior to May 2010 and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and an initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 60 percent for CAD status post CABG due to outstanding private treatment records and additional opinions needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of audiogram results from November 2016, which are necessary for evaluating the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be readjudicated with these records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from VAMC Boston.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to lack of an examination. The examiner must consider the conceded noise exposure during service and provide a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to their death.

The appeal of the right ear hearing loss claim is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing audiometric testing results, specifically pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination test results from VA hearing tests performed in May 2013, May 2016, September 2018, and September 2019. The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss are now pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and compliance issues, requiring a new addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headache disability, entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for cardiomegaly, and service connection for bilateral eye disability have been dismissed. The Veteran also withdrew his claims for service connection for dizziness, service connection for left ear hearing loss, and service connection for a respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for tinnitus is granted due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a duty-to-assist error that occurred before the March 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, was denied due to the lack of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right leg disability, and therefore denied her claim for service connection. The other issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.