Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, and for obtaining additional medical opinions on the etiology of his sleep apnea. The other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of right ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the failure to schedule and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for service connection for status post extensor tendon repair of the left wrist and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which is related to service exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for various conditions as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and records. The Veteran's Reserve service is noted, but no specific exposure basis or service connection theory is provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or substantially confine him to his home, thus SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left hand surgical scarring, cervical spine arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The rating for left hand surgical scarring remains at 10%. The rating for cervical spine arthritis has been increased to 10%. Bilateral hearing loss is now considered a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cluster headaches and tinnitus, as well as his service connection claims for various conditions, are denied.,Service connection is not granted for head injury, breathing problems, blurred vision, or orthopedic problems.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it was not shown in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to service. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been granted, while his bilateral hearing loss claim is being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection will be determined for the Veteran's tinnitus based on credible evidence of in-service onset and continuity. However, service connection cannot be established for his bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current hearing loss and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, and the Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in previous decisions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new examination and opinion due to insufficient information provided by the April 2018 VA examiner. The Veteran's claims are related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be fully considered. The Veteran's service records are incomplete, and VA needs to obtain his Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits decision and any medical records used in making this determination. Additionally, all outstanding VA medical records should be obtained.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and lung cancer are both granted. The decision on the lung cancer claim is pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since July 25, 2013. The Board has remanded the case for consideration of an extra-schedular TDIU prior to that date.