Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied because he does not have a current disability as defined by VA standards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examination. The appeal is not granted on these issues.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected due to continuous symptoms since service separation, meeting the requirements for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient rationale in the VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during service. The Veteran's self-reported history will be considered in forming these opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, breast lumps, migraine headaches, scars related to hysterectomy and bladder surgery, female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), eye pinguecula and iritis with photophobia, bladder condition with stress incontinence, hysterectomy, and PTSD have been dismissed.,PTSD has also been denied for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied.,Issues related to right hip disorder and left knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence on etiology.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for sensorineural hearing loss of the right ear, and entitlement to a higher rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition, and not due to an in-service injury or incident.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals, pain status post vasectomy to include hydrocele and cyst left epididymis was denied as the evidence did not show long-term drug therapy or hospitalizations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for angiomas (claimed as varicocele) was denied as there were no indications of long-term drug therapy, hospitalizations, or intensive management.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The initial rating of 40 percent prior to May 1, 2011, and the subsequent reduction to 10 percent effective May 1, 2011, were both denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board denied service connection for this condition.,Service connection for bladder cancer is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding exposure to contaminated water at Robins Air Force Base.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent from July 26, 2011 to September 17, 2018 and 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds no evidence of a higher rating based on the current medical evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his disability has been manifested by no more than a hearing acuity of Level III in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The case is remanded for a new examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot stress fracture.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection due to exposure to loud noise during service. Service connection for anxiety and depression is also granted, but sleep apnea and PTSD are denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic cough and remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received after the April 2016 Statement of the Case, and for additional development including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting audiometric results and in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, and left hip disability have been reopened. The new evidence received is sufficient to reopen the claims.