Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder condition with arthritis, back condition with osteoarthritis, ischemic heart disease (IHD) and coronary artery disease (CAD), and right foot condition due to outstanding medical records from Wyoming Health Care Center.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity of hearing loss symptoms in service or within a year after service and no nexus between current right ear hearing loss and noise exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the previous VA medical opinion, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating. The cases of right heel spurs and left heel spurs are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, neck strain with arthritis, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to an incomplete grant of benefits.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues (left ear hearing loss, bilateral foot disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability) are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. Service connection is also granted for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but denied for vascular dementia.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that he is entitled to this benefit based on a link between his current hearing impairment and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding whether there was an increase in hearing loss during service, and if so, whether it was solely due to natural progression. The Veteran's hearing loss is being reviewed again for a more detailed analysis.

The Board has restored a 50 percent rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the reduction from 50% to 20% was not proper due to lack of sustained improvement in the disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of entitlement to a TDIU prior to March 20, 2018 and whether referral to VA’s Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss disability to his in-service noise exposure. The Board also found that presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307 is not warranted.,Service connection was granted for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor, with the examiner finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's reported assault by his drill instructor.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and dismissed the appeal of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records, SSA disability benefits records, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for macular degeneration and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has restored this rating. The claim for an increased evaluation was denied as there is no evidence of exceptional hearing loss or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not in dispute, but his effective dates for ratings are being reviewed, as well as whether he should receive a higher rating for his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been granted. The claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military noise exposure during active duty.