Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rib disability, and ischemic heart disease to include as secondary to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus due to a current diagnosed disability and credible evidence linking it to acoustic trauma during active duty. However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or rib disability, nor is there sufficient evidence to support service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the schedular criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to support the claim.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, and the rating for his lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome was also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on hearing loss is based on the absence of evidence linking it to service, while tinnitus is found in equipoise with service connection due to continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral hip condition, and bilateral shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to service, but there is conflicting evidence regarding the motorcycle accident that may have caused his current conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected diplopia, tinnitus, and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, hearing loss, and right knee disorder. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability recognized by VA.,Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea, which was aggravated by his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood with polysubstance dependence (psychiatric disability).,Service connection is granted for migraine headaches, which are proximately due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.,The issue of service connection for tinnitus remains pending as a remand is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for VA examinations and audiometric test results, as well as readjudication of the issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for right hand arthritis with history of fifth metacarpal fracture, left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient information.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, but further examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted as related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensably disabling throughout the claim period, and the Board finds that this rating does not accurately reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development of records, including VA and private medical records. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence or have their records obtained by the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Meniere’s disease has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.,The Veteran's heart disability claim is remanded as there is no VA examination or etiological opinion addressing the issue.,The Veteran's solitary pulmonary nodule (lung condition) claim is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the presumption of soundness and aggravation.,The Veteran's service connection for his claimed lung condition is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an eye disability including glaucoma and a right eye injury, a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety and depression, anemia, bilateral foot disabilities, and insomnia. The Veteran's hearing loss disability remains at Level I in each ear.