Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's prior ratings for bilateral hearing loss, Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on deafness have been restored.,However, the Veteran is not eligible for SMC based on need for regular aid and assistance of another person due to non-service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is limited to the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has decided this issue in favor of the Veteran and remanded it for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds a new VA examination should be obtained to assess the current severity of his condition due to its progressive nature.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for residuals of a duodenal ulcer and left ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the Veteran not reporting for scheduled VA examinations. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records and scheduling another examination.

The appeal of the claim for hearing loss is dismissed. The request to reopen the previously denied claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted, but service connection is not established. The claim for tinnitus is denied.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 80 percent since June 2013.,The Board has also remanded the issue of whether an earlier effective date for this rating should be granted.

The Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for left knee total arthroplasty and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal in December 2019.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulation.,For the period from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2019, the Veteran’s left ankle degenerative joint disease (DJD) more nearly approximated marked limitation of motion; there is no evidence of ankylosis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and whether his Meneire's disease is related to his hearing loss. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss rating issue.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and sleep apnea, but did not grant any other service connection claims. The Veteran's nephrolithiasis is currently rated at 30% under Diagnostic Code 7508.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and has been granted service connection.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed due to herbicide exposure during service.

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

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected hearing loss, but the most recent VA examination was conducted in June 2015 and does not reflect current extent of his condition. The Board has decided to remand the case for obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee pain and dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic low back and thoracic spine disability, cervicothoracic spine pain, left knee disability, and cephalgia/headaches have been denied.,Entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids, PTSD/Depressive Disorder, and TDIU has been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The VA is required to obtain a new opinion that addresses whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his bilateral foot condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA is required to provide a VA examination and opinion in these cases.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis have been rated at 10 percent each since July 1, 2011. The hearing loss in the left ear has also been rated at 0 percent.,Both knees are rated under Diagnostic Code 5003 for degenerative arthritis with noncompensable limitation of motion due to painful motion.