Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and psoriasis. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar sprain and strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and headaches have been granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss claim is denied. The Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine remains at a 40% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a hearing loss examination. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus remains denied, as does the initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected and his PTSD is rated at 70 percent throughout the period of the claim. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, the issue is remanded as VA needs to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s hearing loss is related to military noise exposure or tympanic membrane trauma in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied an increased rating prior to December 6, 2016 and a rating of 10 percent beginning December 6, 2016.,The Veteran's intratesticular cyst right testes (now claimed as Chronic Prostatitis with Recurrent Prostatic Infections, Intratesticular Cyst of Right Testes, and Epididymitis of Left Testes) was denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's lipomas/benign tumor of left armpit, left arm, left side of neck, and left leg was denied service connection.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for hearing loss as there was no evidence of a disability during active duty and the current hearing loss is not related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will provide another opportunity for the Veteran to attend these exams.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% effective October 24, 2018. His bilateral hearing loss disability remains noncompensable prior to that date and was granted a 10% rating beginning October 24, 2018.,The Board has remanded the issue of assigning an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for sleep disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine the etiology of hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and for an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while a separate 10 percent rating for hyperacusis is granted.

The Board has denied DIC benefits due to the Veteran not meeting the criteria for a disability rated totally disabling for 10 or more years immediately preceding death. The cause of death is remanded as an addendum opinion from a clinician is needed regarding whether any service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, heart disorder, skin disorder of the feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right hip disability, as well as his claim for TDIU. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to herbicide agents, asbestos, and lead paint. The claims are also remanded for additional development related to potential asbestos and lead paint exposure during service. Additionally, the claims are remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has any residuals of pancreatic cancer, bilateral hearing loss disability, or tinnitus, and whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, low back condition, and major depressive disorder. However, these issues are remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding obtaining VA treatment records from Mayaguez Outpatient Clinic and other medical records.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and headaches are found to be related to his service-connected psychiatric disorders.,Erectile dysfunction is not linked to service, and bilateral hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains at 70 percent.