Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a scar on the head is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a scar and recent VA examination did not find any visible scar.,The Veteran's claim for varicose veins of the left leg is denied as there is no evidence that they began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction including as secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded due to lack of a medical opinion on whether it was aggravated by service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service complaints of right heel pain.,The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of a medical opinion on whether it was related to service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for gastritis is remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service complaints of gastroenteritis.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service blood pressure readings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his combined rating is insufficient to meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a higher rating or service connection based on his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, which is currently for VA purposes. The claim will be further developed and a proper medical opinion must be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, as his audiometric test results showed average puretone decibel hearing loss of 29 dB in both ears, which corresponds to level I hearing impairment. For tinnitus, the maximum 10 percent rating was assigned and no higher rating is allowed under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury related to noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's hearing loss began during service or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete VA audiological testing records and the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining the necessary medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma caused permanent nerve damage to the auditory nerve or inner ear, resulting in current sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by liver cirrhosis, which is linked to his service-connected tinnitus and depression. The Board found that the service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection as they are related to his military service. However, the right ear hearing loss was denied, diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension were also denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, SSA disability records, and a medical opinion regarding his tinea versicolor.,The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are also being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, SSA disability records, and a medical opinion regarding his tinea versicolor.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and heart disorder due to in-service asbestos and/or chemical exposure. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded as it is intertwined with his heart disorder claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are being remanded for additional development to clarify the nature of his balance issues and determine if they are related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of bilateral hearing loss, which is remanded. The remaining conditions are now considered established as service-connected.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and otitis media have been rated at a compensable level of 10 percent. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and alcohol use disorder, have been rated at the maximum 70 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding whether the Veteran's vertigo is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA’s tables for rating hearing loss disabilities.