Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the possibility of additional VA treatment records that could affect the rating determination.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is also granted, with the condition being secondary to obesity caused by his right foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of prior claims or reasonable interpretations thereof, the current disability ratings are appropriate, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and assistance.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral spine disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to deficiencies in prior examinations and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, a sleep condition, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service.,There is no direct evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's dental condition and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected due to lack of evidence. The Veteran’s PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,Service connection for right fingers, left fingers, and left shoulder conditions (secondary to right shoulder) is remanded as there are issues with establishing these connections.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service and there is no current diagnosis.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran’s low grade transitional cell carcinoma of the gallbladder and his military service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.,The heart disability, hypertension, residuals of the removal of the gallbladder, and bladder cancer are not service-connected as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service exposures.,The Veteran's heart disability was diagnosed after separation from service. The examiner did not provide an opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for deviated nasal septum is denied.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for left shoulder disability is granted. The issue of service connection for the left shoulder disability will be remanded for de novo review.

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

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from March 8, 2017. The rating for tinea versicolor prior to August 13, 2018 remains denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for irritable bowel syndrome, tinea pedis, TBI, dementia, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, respiratory ailment/breathing problems, periodontal condition, and hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to request development from JSRRC to corroborate the Veteran's reports of deployment with the 602nd Tactical Air Control Center Squadron in Southwest Asia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, granting his claim for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a vision disability is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the most recent Statements of the Case.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), bilateral median neuropathy, bilateral ulnar neuropathy, cervical spine disability, memory loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and heart disability are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the most recent Statements of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within a presumptive period, and that the current condition is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral elbow condition, low back injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to inconsistencies in the VA examination reports with the Veteran's reported symptomology.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities did not have a nexus to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for tinnitus due to lack of documented complaints in the record and no basis to conclude it was caused by service.