Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and bilateral hearing loss due to credible testimony regarding worsening symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including due consideration of his exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied due to lack of evidence of in-service or post-service onset. The claim has been reopened with the submission of new and material evidence, but further development is needed as a remand is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim remains denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because the Veteran did not appear for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inconclusive VA and private audiology evaluations.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his left hip disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss was incurred during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for hearing loss was received on September 27, 2017. A compensable rating (zero percent) is denied.,A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability from September 27, 2017, is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic prostatitis, anxiety disorder, right knee strain, left knee strain, allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted. The rating for anxiety disorder remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, expressing satisfaction with the assigned effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disease.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective February 3, 2009. The appeal for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

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

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding questions regarding medical nexus, including potential noise exposure from cement mixers and nail guns.

The Board has remanded the claims for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of both knees, headaches, visual floaters, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disorder (DDD), photophobia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and a neck condition due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, effective June 29, 2018. The Board has determined that an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service connected. However, the lumbar spine disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, leukemia, hypertension, hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential service connection based on herbicide agent exposure during active duty.