Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical clarification and examination. The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded because of conflicting evidence regarding his reported stressors. His hypertension, hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and GERD claims are also remanded as there are insufficient post-service records or medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the claim for service connection for COPD and the issue of an increase rating for hearing loss. The decision on these matters will be reconsidered after further examination and development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate information in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is related to his active duty.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were granted. The claim for service connection for a lower back condition is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in previous decisions. New evidence has been submitted, reopening the claims of service connection for pes planus and tinnitus. The claim for right ear hearing loss remains denied. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if a current foot disability is related to service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling. The reduction of the rating for low back strain from 20% to 10% was improper and must be restored.,Service connection for cardiac disability due to in-service radiation exposure is remanded, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on its etiology.,Service connection for male reproductive disability due to in-service radiation exposure is also remanded, with the same reasoning.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI is rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that there are no residuals of his TBI that warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected unequal leg length is granted. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10%. A new compensable rating of 10% is assigned for the right knee surgical scar. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of noncompensable for right ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain an updated examination for the right ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the current disability is less likely related to military service. The Veteran's MOS as a food specialist suggests a lower probability of noise exposure.,Service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and etiology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a brain tumor. The case will be remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating prior to January 24, 2020 or a rating higher than 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective from the date of decision. The Board also grants TDIU beginning January 30, 2014, but remands the issue of TDIU prior to that date on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may be related to in-service noise exposure, but a new examination is needed to address the timing and nature of the condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and thoracic spine scoliosis and lumbar spine lordosis claims.