Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded. The initial rating for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is denied. An initial 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus is granted. Service connection for prostate cancer residuals is granted at a 10 percent rating. Service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military noise exposure. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is required.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back condition, cervical condition, eczema, bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a 10% or higher rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to June 24, 2010 is being remanded for the VA Director of Compensation Service to consider if an extraschedular rating should be assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and mechanical back pain syndrome is denied, as are claims for service connection for pain and numbness of the genitals (secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability) and asthma.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, given the absence of audiometric testing data at separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD due to new VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran is asked to provide any private medical records related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 26, 2018, for service connection of tinnitus, hypertension, insomnia disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that no formal or informal claim was filed prior to this date.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia status post herniorrhaphy does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection and increased rating claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea, liver condition, and hypertension. The SSA records must also be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding the dates of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The VA examiner is requested to review all available records, including National Guard and Army Reserve service treatment records and personnel records. Clarification on the onset of symptoms and conversion of audiometric data from ASA units to ISO-ANSI units are also required.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for hypertension, as well as the claims for bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disorders are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. Service connection has been granted for pseudophakia, cataracts, conjunctivitis, and glaucoma as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issues of service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities.