Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for a separate compensable rating for vertigo associated with his service-connected perforation of left tympanic membrane was granted. The appeal for an initial compensable rating for the service-connected left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional information and testing related to the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right thumb degenerative arthritis is granted a 10 percent rating. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The Veteran's request for a higher rating and service connection for right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and an additional examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service or any event, injury, or disease during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development. Specifically, his skin disability is related to his active duty service in the Gulf War region.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The VA will provide a comprehensive examination to determine if these conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected psoriasis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50% and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The TDIU from March 10, 2011 is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, neurological impairments of the upper extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed. The Board found no evidence of a service-connected condition related to these issues.

The Board has decided that another VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, as the previous opinions were based solely on the absence of documented hearing loss in service.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left ankle fracture and remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left thumb disability is remanded to allow for further examination.

The Board dismissed the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and schizophrenia. The hearing loss disability claim was reopened, but the issues of left hip, right hip, back, and headache disabilities were remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service. The examiner will need to provide a more detailed opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions. The Veteran's active duty was not in a period of war that would qualify him for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing current hearing loss or tinnitus, and the medical opinions provided did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that additional evaluations and examinations are needed for the Veteran's hearing loss, carpel tunnel syndrome, joint pain, low back disability, and right foot disability claims.

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 chronic disability during or within one year after service, and the VA examiner's opinion that the current hearing loss is not related to service. Tinnitus was present during service and currently, so it is granted.