Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of current diagnosis.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back condition and erectile dysfunction, as there is insufficient evidence or medical nexus opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding records and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were both denied, but his claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened due to new evidence received since the August 2011 rating decision.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from March 2, 2011 to February 10, 2013 due to his service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, and back disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for hearing loss, shoulder disability, and frostbite of the feet. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and complete his service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination of the Veteran's headaches and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the claim for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claims for cataracts and hyperthyroidism, which were reopened due to new evidence, are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and has also granted service connection for this condition. The evidence shows that the Veteran sustained acoustic trauma during active service, which is related to his current bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for heart disease is dismissed, and the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for a neck disability, reopening of a right ear hearing loss claim, and determining an initial rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss was granted. A TDIU was also granted. The effective dates for these decisions were determined based on the date of claims or entitlement. An increased rating for PTSD is denied, but a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability within the definition of 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 during service or within one year after separation.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right leg and left leg, to include as due to exposure to herbicidal agents, is denied because there is no evidence of early-onset peripheral neuropathy in service or within one year of last exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's skin disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it had its onset during service and is related to herbicide exposure.

The reduction in the rating for coronary artery disease from 100% to 60% was proper. The Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate during this period.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The Veteran's increased ratings for residuals of prostate cancer from May 1, 2015 to November 25, 2019 are denied. A 60 percent rating was granted after that date.,A 20 percent rating for prostate surgery scars and a 20 percent rating for erectile dysfunction with a deformed penis are granted.,The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer require absorbent materials to be changed more than four times per day, but not an appliance. The Veteran has three painful prostate surgery scars that do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7804 or 7801.,The Veteran’s erectile dysfunction with a deformed penis meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

Service connection is granted for Crohn's disease. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for TMJ service connection was dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Hypertension is remanded for further development.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no further action can be taken on this matter.