Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of documentation regarding earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's former attorney claims she submitted VA Form 21-526 on his behalf in 2012, but no such documents are found in the file.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and dental condition have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a determination on these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. Further VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the hearing loss claim for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing impairment and its relation to service. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is conceded.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to concerns about the impact of all service-connected disabilities on employment, and a need for additional development including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's reports regarding in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and in-service noise exposure. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical records, including a specific scientific study.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 80 percent to 60 percent, effective August 1, 2018, was proper based on actual improvement in his hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service. The claim for non-initial compensable rating for right index finger is remanded, as well as the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the case is still pending as it needs further examination to determine if his hearing loss was aggravated by his service-connected otitis media.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus, which impact his employability. The case must be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,The claims for service connection for a left knee condition, right knee condition, hearing loss, hypertension, hypertensive cardiovascular heart disease, and gastritis have also been reopened.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may be related to service, but an additional VA medical opinion is needed due to the inadequacy of the previous examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), right knee disability, respiratory disability, polycythemia vera, lower extremity neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, traumatic brain injury, and eye disability have all been granted.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss was denied by the Board in September 2018, but was subsequently granted service connection with a rating of 50% effective May 27, 2014. The appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, bilateral foot disability, flat feet, arthritis of the feet, and bilateral hearing loss, has been granted. The appeals are remanded for further development on issues related to a bilateral knee disability.