Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, degenerative joint disease, right knee, and left knee due to incomplete examination opinions and need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection claims are addressed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence supports a finding that he has experienced this condition since his military service.

The Veteran's claim for right carpal tunnel was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for hearing loss, right ear was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for hearing loss, right ear is denied as there is no current diagnosis meeting VA standards.,Service connection for surgical scars, bilateral shoulders is denied as they do not meet disabling effects under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to new evidence of worsening bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss rating issue.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is now REMANDED to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current hearing loss and his time in military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer, both presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Thailand. The decision also grants the Veteran's claim of service connection for his current diagnosis of prostate cancer.

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

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to potential herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 11, 2013, for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the cases regarding disability ratings for hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the file, particularly regarding a study submitted by the Veteran that suggests noise exposure during service may have accelerated hearing loss later in life.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment or marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened, and the case is being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further examination and analysis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted as his testimony provides sufficient support for a diagnosis of this condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine condition, allergic condition, stomach condition, heart condition, joints condition, lower back condition, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claims were all denied as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active military service.