Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to unclear audiogram results and the need for clarification from the providers.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his diabetes.,For kidney disability, the Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to current symptoms.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from October 19, 2009 and a higher than 20 percent rating from January 29, 2020 are denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative changes are granted with a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as the Veteran does not have a current disability of this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination by a VA Otolaryngologist.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, finding that it is causally related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines has been granted. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral lower extremity varicose veins remain denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in-service, and thus could not establish service connection. For SMC, the Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria due to his TDIU status.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran must be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability. The right ear hearing loss rating issue is deferred until all development on the left ear hearing loss claim is completed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, with the VA finding that his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including tinnitus, left knee replacement, bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury (TBI), back condition with radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss as new evidence submitted was not relevant to prove that his hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year of discharge, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The VA opinion found no causal relationship between the current hearing loss and military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that it manifested within one year of discharge from service. Service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied as the evidence does not support a link to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability and there is no causal relationship between his active duty service and his current right ear hearing loss. The PTSD claim was remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence on which to decide the claim.