Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to exposure to herbicide agents. The decision is pending further examination by a VA examiner.

The claim of higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claims of service connection for back disability, neck disability, vertigo and dizziness, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is presumed to have occurred during his active duty due to exposure to noise in combat.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential gaps in medical records that may provide earlier evidence of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence. The issues of secondary service connection for tinnitus, service connection for sinusitis with rhinitis, type II diabetes mellitus, irritable bowel syndrome, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are all remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a low back disorder, and a right shoulder disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board dismissed appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and denied service connection for the residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Veteran withdrew his claims for these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus cannot be granted service connection. However, tinnitus was found to have originated during active duty service and continues to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a causal relationship between in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Veteran's new and material evidence did not provide sufficient information to reopen the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they require further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions. The issues include left leg shortening, sinusitis, rhinitis, sarcoidosis, PTSD with depression, IHD status post angioplasty, left ankle talofibular ligament rupture, hyperparathyroidism, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and urinal myelopathy. The cases are remanded due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the highest schedular rating, and his symptoms are considered in the current rating criteria. The Board finds no need for extraschedular consideration.,Service connection has been granted for a low back disability due to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected, with the condition being aggravated by his service-connected left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection for hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent).,The Veteran's right hand neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent.,There is no current diagnosis of bilateral shin splints, and the claim for this condition is denied.,Service connection for GERD is not granted due to lack of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right knee disability, restless leg syndrome, left hip disability, right hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.