Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking the current hearing loss to service and rejecting the Veteran's contention of in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, with the Board finding that both conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

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

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to June 6, 2014 was denied. His claim for a higher rating from June 6, 2014 to February 25, 2016 was also denied.

The Board has decided that a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and clarifying the type of speech discrimination test used in November 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence.,The Veteran is also being scheduled for various VA examinations related to his disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted after the initial denial.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back, neck, right foot, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Veteran's service records indicate complaints of pain in these areas during service, but no current diagnoses have been established. A new examination is required for each condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left wrist CTS have been granted with specific disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, lumbosacral sprain, right shoulder injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder are granted as service-connected. The right knee and left knee issues are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's obesity, which is due to his service-connected knee and foot disabilities, caused his sleep apnea. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraines, right arm disability, and a right knee disability are being remanded as there have not been VA examinations addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected epilepsy. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist that addresses these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of medical opinion regarding in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the back are not related to his military service, but the issues regarding migraine headaches have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a sleep disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and bilateral eye disability to include open angle glaucoma. The remaining issues of service connection for right elbow lateral epicondylitis, left hip greater trochanteric bursitis, and a right-hand disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss cannot be granted as he does not have a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and back disability are remanded due to lack of recent medical evidence, and the alcoholism secondary claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The right ear hearing loss issue is remanded.