Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss that may be present. The Veteran's service treatment records noted otalgia, a red tympanic membrane, bulging, and otitis in January 1970, but there were no threshold shifts in service or evidence of tinnitus during the appeal period.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service-connected aggravation of right ear hearing loss, finding that his preexisting hearing loss did not worsen during service and thus, he is not entitled to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear conversion of audiometric results from service records and a need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the case for further examination regarding left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, asthma, and lower abdominal groin tear as well as his TDIU claim due to failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his PTSD only causes work difficulties during periods of high stress. The Board denies the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous post-service symptoms. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's left foot degenerative joint disease with plantar fasciitis was not manifested by objective evidence of limitation of motion or a moderate foot injury prior to May 23, 2016. From May 23, 2016 to January 29, 2018, the Veteran's left foot degenerative joint disease with plantar fasciitis did not more nearly approximate a moderately severe foot injury warranting a rating in excess of 10 percent. Since January 30, 2018, the Veteran's left foot degenerative joint disease with plantar fasciitis has been manifested by evidence of a moderately severe foot injury but not a severe foot injury warranting a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not manifested by greater than Level VII hearing and warrants a noncompensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. The left ear hearing loss is considered aggravated by service, while the right ear hearing loss had its onset during service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the cases of right knee injury, pilonidal cysts, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The claims are currently pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional evidence being needed, including medical articles and lay statements.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that he meets the criteria for service connection due to noise exposure during military service. The decision is based on a review of medical evidence, including an April 2016 private opinion from an otolaryngologist.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded for additional development.