Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, low back condition, cervical spine condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is also being remanded as it may be secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere’s disease due to additional development being needed, including obtaining medical opinions.

The Veteran's right hip disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and the appeal for a compensable rating is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim requires additional information to be provided by the private audiologist who administered the November 2014 examination.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder and PTSD) is remanded due to incomplete stressor verification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain has also been denied, with the Board finding that his current 10% rating is appropriate based on the examination findings and medical records.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral cataracts, prostate cancer, and tinnitus have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on hearing loss is based on the lack of evidence showing a relationship to in-service noise exposure, while the decision on tinnitus is based on credible testimony from the Veteran regarding his in-service noise exposure and subsequent onset of tinnitus.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher, for sinusitis and remanded the issues of service connection for aphthous ulcer and GERD.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of current bilateral hearing loss disability.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sinusitis with headaches is granted. The Board resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it was caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's periods of service and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since February 19, 2020. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right upper extremity nerve, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded as there is conflicting evidence regarding whether it was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being referred back to the RO for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and audiogram from December 2019, providing notice of how to substantiate a claim for TDIU, and referring the extra-schedular rating claim to the Director, Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain a VA audiologist's opinion as directed in prior remands. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims was caused by noise exposure during active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.,The Veteran’s tension muscular headaches are rated as noncompensably disabling prior to August 3, 2015, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been rated at the maximum possible level, with no further increase in rating being warranted.,The Veteran's epilepsy claim has been reopened due to new evidence submitted since his last denial. However, service connection for epilepsy remains denied as there is insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to service.,The Veteran's TBI and seizure disorder claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current hearing loss and his military service.