Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for various knee, ankle, and hearing loss disorders must be reconsidered under the correct regulatory framework. The case is being remanded to issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a respiratory disability (COPD). Service connection is now established for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a current disability. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was not compliant with the October 2019 remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a right leg injury (scar), and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran did not meet the requirements for exposure to herbicides for Air Force veterans who served on or near the perimeter of air bases in Thailand.,The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus type II during service, and there was no credible evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of this appeal as they have no jurisdiction.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been manifested by auditory acuity no worse than Level I in each ear, with no exceptional hearing loss pattern shown. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of stress fractures (shin splints) bilateral due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for updated VA treatment records and an audiology examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder have been rated, but his OSA remains unaddressed.,His service-connected disabilities are causing him to be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated at zero percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent. The claim for an increased rating to 100 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, dry eyes (left eye), and nasal drip due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of nexus evidence. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is conceded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied in a final rating decision. New evidence has been submitted, reopening the claim and requiring further examination to determine if there is a relationship between his tinnitus (a service-connected condition) and his hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left wrist disability, left knee and hip disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and skin disability. The remand requires obtaining updated medical records, conducting examinations for orthopedic, audiological, and dermatological evaluations, and determining the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for extraschedular consideration due to the complexity of his case and the need for a decision by the Director, Compensation Service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and migraine headaches. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeal for an initial compensable rating for tinea versicolor is remanded.