Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of qualifying conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. However, his claim for dermatitis/eczema has been remanded.,His PTSD rating remains at 50 percent, with a recommendation for further examination to determine its impact on employment.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to harmful noise exposure during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for tinnitus (as secondary to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss) is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development. The Board finds no basis for granting any of the requested benefits.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. However, due to incomplete VA treatment records and insufficient opinions regarding bilateral hearing loss, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to service. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and toenail condition due to lack of current disability. The claim for toenail condition is remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss is related to service, including noise exposure from weapons fire.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back strain have been reopened, but the appeals are remanded due to new evidence received since the prior denial. The VA is required to obtain private treatment records and conduct further examinations to determine if there is a link between the disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and is not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The Veteran now has a 60 percent evaluation for psoriasis, previously diagnosed as seborrheic dermatitis, effective from the date of decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for left ankle disability. The issues include right ankle disability, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and vertigo.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The decision on service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, shoulder disorders, foot disorders, knee disorders, and hearing loss. The issues are related to whether these conditions had their onset during active duty or are otherwise etiologically related to such service.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities may be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service, but further verification from JSRRC is needed. Service connection will be remanded for this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, a growth on his chest, and residuals of a lipoma on the head have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for right ankle strain, left knee strain, and residuals of a left elbow fracture have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for PTSD with ADHD during the period from September 30, 2015 to June 26, 2017 has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and lumbar strain have been remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and lower back disability are service-connected. However, additional evidence is needed to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder (likely including PTSD, anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder) and sciatic nerve disability are also service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate VA opinions that did not reconcile findings from the separation examination or explain how hearing loss can improve.