Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran served in Vietnam, and he contends that his current conditions are related to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo and denied the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, to include extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a respiratory illness, including reactive airway with chronic cough due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed the case.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, a new examination, and obtaining any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability should be remanded due to a lack of examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether a lumbar spine disorder is aggravated by service-connected right knee arthritis or prostate cancer residuals. The current back condition is less likely as not to be aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted, while the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is approximately balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has remanded the issues of rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU prior to April 25, 2012 must be decided by the evidence of record. The Board finds that a TDIU is granted effective April 25, 2012, but remands the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia were incurred in service. However, his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the need for further evidentiary development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral foot disorder, and disorders affecting his lower extremities due to insufficient opinions provided by VA examiners. The issues are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss from August 3, 2009 to July 22, 2019 is denied as the evidence does not show that his hearing impairment was worse than Level VIII in his right ear and Level X in his left ear.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for prostate cancer. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for this condition. The rating for tinnitus was also denied as it is already at its maximum schedular rating. The back disability and knee disabilities are remanded due to new evidence and potential worsening.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected hip disability. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder are remanded.