Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that further action is needed to determine the Veteran's claims for service connection related to right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and residuals from a cerebrovascular accident. The case will be remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and a need to clarify the type of hearing requested by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot injury and fibromyalgia were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for left elbow forearm supination and right elbow forearm supination have been advanced to December 13, 2016.,Service connection was granted for radiculopathy of both legs as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an examination to assess his current hearing impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 9, 2016 due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ocular hypertension due to a lack of VA treatment records and incomplete examination reports. The Veteran will be given another opportunity for an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains pending as it requires a statement of the case (SOC) before further appellate consideration can be granted.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability or causal relationship to service.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus and her military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral foot disability. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has restored a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that the reduction from 40 to 20 percent was improper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral foot disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or findings related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD with alcohol abuse, tinnitus, a back condition, a skin condition, and COPD due to pending NODs.

The Veteran's bilateral foot neuropathy is granted service connection. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and kidney condition are denied. Bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability, rated as degenerative arthritis of the spine under DC 5242, is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and right wrist disability due to incomplete evaluations, lack of consideration of certain medical literature, and need for a new VA examination.