Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, a scar on the right ear, and right ear hearing loss are remanded due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected lumbar facet degeneration with sclerosis and DDD, left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, cervical spine (neck) disability with muscle spasms, left shoulder disability with nerve damage, and left hip disability have all been denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus are denied. Service connection is granted for hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus.

The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, schedule an examination for the acquired psychiatric disorder, and provide a medical opinion regarding any sleep disorder. The dependent benefits claim for FM, GM, and LMM will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a cardiac disorder due to scheduling issues with VA examinations. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to appear for these exams.

The appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for basal cell carcinoma is dismissed. The appeals for entitlement to service connection for headaches, essential tremor, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations for his lumbar spine, left lower extremity neuropathy, left shoulder, residuals of a mild concussion, bilateral hearing loss, plantar warts, left knee and femur, right foot disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, respiratory disorder, cardiovascular disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, and residuals of an allergy to bee sting.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's hearing test results and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensable prior to August 30, 2016 and a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Board denied both the request for a compensable rating before that date and any request for an increased rating after that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, varicose veins of the left lower extremity, and a left leg condition is denied.,Reduction of VA compensation benefits to 10 percent due to incarceration was proper.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as 0 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on the audiometric test results.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiac arrest, which the Board found to be at least as likely as not due to his service-connected ischemic heart disease. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed because the cause of death has been established.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The cervical spine and thoracic spine disabilities as well as TBI residuals are remanded due to inadequate examination.

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

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent since May 11, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, hypertensive heart disease and hypertension before the Board could make a decision.