Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus (secondary to herbicide exposure), and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and allergic rhinitis due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent since October 29, 2009. The most recent VA examination in October 2019 showed a level IX Roman numeral designation for the left ear, but this did not result in an increased rating due to the use of Table VII.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent effective August 14, 2019. Prior to this date, the disability was not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and his previously reopened claim for TBI residuals was also denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that these conditions began in service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and left foot osteoarthritis, as well as his claims for service connection for asthma, chronic lung problems, COPD, Meniere's syndrome, and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The validity of the Veteran’s combined evaluation has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection is also granted for left ear sensorineural hearing loss, but denied for right ear sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is granted for left ear sensorineural hearing loss as it initially manifested in service. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not considered aggravated by service, and the claim for service connection for this condition remains denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus was not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence to support a finding that it began during service. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to additional development being warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining SSA medical records and a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and requests for records from JFK Medical Center. The VA will need to obtain these records, provide a new opinion regarding whether VA carelessness or negligence contributed to the Veteran's death, and consider if his service-connected bilateral hearing loss played a role in his death.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted, with the evidence being at least in equipoise that he has had hearing loss since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure and that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 27, 2013 was denied. For the period from September 27, 2013 to October 29, 2019, an initial evaluation of 80 percent was granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lung disability (asthma and COPD) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

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

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct medical examinations for the Veteran's right and left foot disorders, hearing loss, and tinnitus claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) or being housebound (HB).