Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in converting audiometric data and obtaining necessary medical opinions. The Veteran's hearing loss is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was submitted after the April 2011 denial of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are therefore remanded to allow for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and coronary artery disease are not warranted due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claim for service connection for CAD is remanded as it requires an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a healed open dislocation of the left fifth digit at the PIP joint, a scar on the left hand, and right and left shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.,Service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition and right ear hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and fatigue are denied.,Service connection is also denied for left hip condition, left knee condition, left ankle condition, left foot condition, right hip condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, and right foot condition.

The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied. Service connection for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss, including any related vestibular disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for myositis ossificans of the left lower extremity resulted in a single 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied as his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of sick sinus syndrome but denied it due to lack of evidence linking it to PTSD or Agent Orange exposure. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the cases of PTSD rating and hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further examination as the current opinions are not adequate to decide the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 7, 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated during the appeal period and found to be noncompensable, as his average pure tone thresholds did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee condition, to include osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis was reopened and granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hyperacusis is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and the residuals of a stroke due to diabetes mellitus. The addendum opinion is needed for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, and an adequate opinion on the nature and etiology of the stroke must be provided.