Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and abdomen GSW scars have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions, or sufficient medical opinion linking them to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the increased rating for left ear hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and further development is needed. The Veteran's complaints of pain, discomfort, and roaring in his left ear are being evaluated for their relation to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent as of January 25, 2018. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date was denied.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a disability rating of 60 percent for CAD was granted effective September 9, 2013. The earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and associated tinnitus were also granted on July 3, 2012.,The Veteran’s claim for a compensable schedular disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA and/or private treatment records, schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination(s) to determine his need for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, and address whether he meets the criteria for special monthly compensation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, as defined by VA standards. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as secondary to service-connected tinnitus due to a lack of medical evidence on record.

Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder) has been granted.,The Veteran's claims were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear but granted it for hearing loss of the left ear and tinnitus. The decision also found that there is no causal link between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss of the right ear.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

Your claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed because it was resolved in favor of you by a prior decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease, service connection for right and left knee disabilities, low back disability, and hypertension.,The Board also dismissed the appeals for service connection for right and left foot disabilities. The appellant withdrew these claims at his September 2019 hearing.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability for additional development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence that his current diagnosis began during service or is related to in-service noise exposure. For the lumbar spine disability, the case is remanded for an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.