Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for additional evidence, including private or VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, as the evidence shows he experienced symptoms of hearing loss during service and has had continuous symptoms since then.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 10 percent disabling for the entirety of the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and bilateral hearing loss, both linked to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to noise exposure during service. The Veteran’s claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected generalized arthralgias is also denied.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition, as it is considered secondary to his service-connected generalized arthralgias. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected esophagitis with hiatal hernia is also denied.,The Veteran's neck disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's neck scar is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's right arm disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected neck disorder is also denied.,The Veteran's left arm disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected neck disorder is also denied.,The Veteran's low back scar is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's right leg disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias is also denied.,The Veteran's left shoulder disorder separate and distinct from service-connected generalized arthralgia is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for hearing loss was reopened and remanded. The claim for tinnitus remains denied.

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

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to evaluate the Veteran's current employment handicap and whether self-employment is the only feasible option for him given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, as well as for obtaining VA and private treatment records. The Veteran also needs a statement of the case issued regarding his migraine headaches and anxiety disorder claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from SSA.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets VA criteria for compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, and the Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and benefits under Section 1151 due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding his hearing loss and lung condition.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for clarification of a private medical provider's qualifications and opinions. The Veteran was denied effective dates prior to April 7, 2016, for right knee strain and tinnitus. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied. A rating higher than 10 percent for right knee strain is denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and a depressive disorder), right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. The claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and outstanding treatment records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The VA examiner found the Veteran 'misinterprets' what his family tells him, and as a result, the Veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a higher disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a bilateral eye disability (due to diabetes mellitus), and service connection for left knee and leg disabilities have been denied. The case is REMANDED for further development regarding the Veteran's left foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to verify all periods of service, including ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, and obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician on whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his Air Force Reserve and as an Air Reserve Technician.