Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for hepatitis C, and left and right knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and esophageal cancer due to additional development being required.

The appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The appeal for a higher disability rating for right knee degenerative arthritis, status-post surgeries, is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it is etiologically related to noise exposure during her military service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 4, 2019 and from that date was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence in the record to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but remanded the right ear hearing loss claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or due to military noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that there was no causal link between current hearing loss and tinnitus and their onset in service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as Level IV, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board denied the claim for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, shoulder disability, low back disability, and knee disability due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional evidence in several areas, including PTSD severity since January 2010, TDIU prior to February 26, 2013, and SMC based on aid and attendance needs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a left great toe disorder, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not show that the Veteran had current disabilities meeting VA criteria.,The Board also found no link between the Veteran’s sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, with resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a heart disability, to include as due to herbicide exposure, are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to show for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has decided the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and liver damage, but has remanded the claim for hypertension due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran's fatigue, gastrointestinal disorder, and headaches related to Persian Gulf War service are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability but has remanded the issue of chronic joint and muscle pain due to insufficient evidence.