Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to an October 2017 VA examination not complying with previous instructions. The Veteran should be scheduled for a new VA hearing loss examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's headaches and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied, while his back disability and left wrist disability claims are referred to the RO for additional review.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current ringing in his ears is more likely than not related to military noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has found that additional evidence was submitted and remanded the cases for further review. The issues of service connection have been returned to the AOJ for consideration.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a compensable rating prior to January 21, 2015 and from January 21, 2015 to October 16, 2019, or in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that it is as likely as not related to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to support the reopening of this claim.,An earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD prior to September 15, 2017 is denied as there was no pending unadjudicated claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to that date.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches are granted an initial rating of 50 percent. The service-connected dysthymic disorder, associated with TBI, is denied any increase in rating. Service connection for the right and left fifth cranial nerve paralyses, hearing loss, and low back disorder is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a left cheek cyst removal are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. The Board has found an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, stroke, facial numbness, right leg numbness, hypertension, skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. These issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for further development and adjudication. The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, headaches, colonic diverticula (claimed as abdominal pain), low back disability, right knee disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, right ankle disability, right foot disability, and kidney disability are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hip disorders, ankle disorders, and bilateral knee and hearing loss. The reasons for remand include needing to address whether obesity caused or aggravated these conditions due to PTSD or diabetes.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and denied a request for an earlier effective date for the 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was denied, and his claim for TDIU was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a higher initial rating or TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cognitive disorder with recurrent major depression, paranoia, and PTSD is rated at 100 percent from January 11, 2010 to October 5, 2017.,SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person was granted from January 11, 2010 to October 5, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the need for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to April 6, 2018, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as the claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, are being remanded.