Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, treatment records review, and development of his case. The specific issues include pes planus (left foot), cervical spine disability, bilateral wrist, lumbar spine, bilateral ankle, bilateral hip, right ear hearing loss, sinus/rhinitis/nose bleeds, and dysentery and residuals of food poisoning.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and low back strain with degenerative disc disease with osteophytes and scoliosis, as the evidence is insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to service. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for his hearing loss claim, and all relevant medical records must be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded as additional information and evidence are required.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for additional examinations. The issues are related as they may be intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The initial evaluation for tinnitus remains denied as it is already at its maximum schedular rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss. The decision found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and a higher rating is denied.,Tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260, and no higher rating is granted.,Metatarsalgia, bilateral feet disability, remains at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5279, and a higher rating is denied.,Degenerative disc disease thoracolumbar spine with IVDS is rated as 20 percent disabling, but no higher rating is granted.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, as they do not involve anatomical loss of use of both hands, burn injuries, inhalational injuries, blindness in both eyes with 20/200 visual acuity or less, or specific combinations of impairments.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA medical examination and incomplete records, particularly those from after November 2018. The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being reviewed again for possible service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but finds that additional examinations and/or development are necessary before these claims can be decided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been reopened, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support his claims. The Veteran's migraine headaches are not related to service, tinnitus has reached its maximum rating, and bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied. The claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was also denied, as there is no evidence of a hearing impairment disability under VA criteria. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied due to the passage of over 30 years since discharge without any evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied. The claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was also denied, as there is no evidence of a hearing impairment disability under VA criteria. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied due to the passage of over 30 years since discharge without any evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches are not rated higher than noncompensable, as there is no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months.,The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent prior to June 13, 2017; 40 percent from June 13, 2017, to April 26, 2019, and above 40 percent thereafter. The VA examinations did not reveal any exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to hCG in blood, and therefore service connection is denied. The cases of residuals of stroke, acquired psychiatric disorder, speech disorder, left arm disorder, burn scar of the left arm, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.