Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left ankle disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and low back disorder for additional VA medical opinions. The decision on initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss due to conflicting evidence regarding pre-existing conditions. The Veteran had a history of hearing issues prior to his military service, which is noted in his medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI, ischemic heart disease, hearing loss, and a fractured mandible, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, finding that it did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge and is unrelated to service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but the Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate nexus opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest within one year of active service or were not caused by his military service.,The Board also found no evidence of continuity of symptoms post-service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for a right ankle fracture.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, osteophytosis, and facet hypertrophy, is service-connected as it was caused by his duty specialty of Boatswain Mate.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable, as he may be suitable for less communication-intensive employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for Meniere's Disease due to incomplete development and lack of medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tuberculosis. The claims for traumatic brain injury, right shoulder disability, and neck disability are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frozen feet, residuals of frozen hands, a back disability (to include arthritis), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a mouth sore disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions were incurred in or due to his time in service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but remanded the right ear hearing loss claim due to uncertainty about whether it meets VA's criteria for a disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss was denied, and his increased rating claim for right wrist tendinitis was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for generalized anxiety disorder from March 29, 2011 to September 4, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to unclear consideration of his Reserve service and noise exposure during active duty for training.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that it is more likely than not related to noise exposure during active service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals to reopen claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.