Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to errors in obtaining VA treatment records and considering certain factors related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed eye disability or persistent/recurrent symptoms of such a disability.,The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that his current condition did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss prior to November 16, 2017 was denied as the evidence did not show that his bilateral hearing loss manifested at a higher level prior to this date.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service connected, with no specific rating assigned and effective date not provided.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar strain, adjustment disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The case was remanded for further action on service connection claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death, and no new evidence or claims were presented.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and initial rating for tinea pedis have been denied. The Board found no current disability for hearing loss meeting VA compensation standards, no in-service onset or chronicity of symptoms for tinnitus, and insufficient coverage under the skin rating criteria for tinea pedis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence was submitted since the last denial. The decision also concludes that the current disability is related to in-service acoustic noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran currently has hearing loss and whether it is related to his noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA mental disorders examination. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated to determine if a separate or higher rating is warranted on the basis of social effects of his hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA medical records and procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to August 6, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has increased in severity since his last VA examination, and he provided a non-VA audiogram to support this claim. The Board finds that an additional examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's renal disability is granted as related to presumed herbicide exposure.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to missing VA treatment records, need for updated military personnel records verification of Southwest Asia service, and the need for additional examinations for sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic headaches.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea with hypersomnia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board has granted the Veteran's application for TDIU.