Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings, earlier effective dates, and TDIU are also remanded due to incomplete examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss due to lack of a current disability as defined by VA regulations. The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints of ear issues, but a VA examination found his current hearing loss not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to service, but requires additional evidence and opinions from VA examiners.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is etiologically related to in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's military personnel records support his assertion of noise exposure as a submarine diesel operator, and he submitted statements from witnesses noting the difficulty in hearing during service. However, no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether these disabilities began in service or are causally related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The right and left knee disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further evaluation and evidence collection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure. The Veteran must be provided with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disorder, viral disorder, bilateral eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and right testicle disorder. The claims for bruxism and hypertension have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability remains denied as his range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Meniere's disease is part of the same disease process as his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, thus granting service connection for Meniere's disease.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, thus denying his claims. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and asbestosis have been granted service connection. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, and generalized anxiety disorder is remanded due to unverified stressors and need for further examination.,Service connection for a right thigh disability is remanded as there are no current medical records linking the condition to service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded due to pre-existing conditions that may have been aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new evidence did not establish a current disability.