Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits was not properly created due to an error in converting the Veteran's record from one payment system to another. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection. The initial disability rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent, effective from March 21, 2014. Bilateral hearing loss, headaches, acid reflux, residual scar, right knee disability, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sciatica (left lower extremity), and sciatica (right lower extremity) have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of compliance with the February 2018 Board remand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to various issues, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. The case is also being examined again by a VA examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD, TDIU, and SMC at the housebound rate. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a new audiological examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The back disability claim is also being remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disability claims. The VA is required to obtain a pre-employment physical examination report from 1972, which was requested but not received. Additionally, an orthopedic examination is needed to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between current conditions and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to service. However, due to inadequate examination reports from previous VA examinations, a new examination is required.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was denied a compensable evaluation prior to November 14, 2019 and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent beginning that date.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability related to his active service. The cardiac, hearing loss, and tinnitus claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are as likely as not attributable to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and that any current disabilities were not related to active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be further evaluated with additional evidence and a new examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to new evidence submitted. The issues of service connection for Reiter’s Syndrome, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss are being reviewed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his appeals for service connection and ratings for various conditions are dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted. However, the appeal regarding a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and TDIU status remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,For issues related to peripheral neuropathy and coronary artery disease, additional evidence is needed as they are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy are all granted. The skin condition is due to herbicide exposure. Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent from July 18, 2011 through January 19, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Diabetes mellitus is rated at 10 percent prior to November 7, 2012, and 20 percent thereafter. The heart disability and anemia are secondary to diabetes mellitus.