Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to effective dates for service connection of PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is pending further review.

The Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as lichen simplex chronicus, is granted service connection.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The Board finds reasonable doubt in the etiology of his current left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded four issues: initial compensable ratings for orchialgia and left ear hearing loss, an increased rating for PTSD, and a TDIU claim. The VA needs to send the Veteran's representative a copy of the November 2019 SOC with the correct mailing address.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, specifically noise exposure as a longshoreman.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to new evidence submitted since the April 2005 rating decision. The case is remanded for further development regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete record, including missing forms submitted by the Veteran. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and multiple myeloma are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions. The exposure basis is not applicable as there was no herbicide agent exposure during periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's digestive disorder, excluding IBS, is granted as service connected. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to military service and service connection for this condition has been granted. Service connection for low back disability and skin disability (nail fungus) are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and dismissed the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disorder, as well as their impact on his daily activities. The claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a left shoulder disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent, the maximum noncompensable rating available. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation as his symptoms were adequately addressed by the current rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a ratable disability involving either ear.,Service connection for tinnitus is also denied because the evidence does not support its onset during or within one year after his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions had their onset during active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of his bilateral hearing loss, requesting that he be scheduled for a VA examination to determine its current severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete adjudication of a claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss and because the right ear increased rating claims are inextricably intertwined with this issue. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings will be readjudicated after the service connection issue is resolved.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, which is claimed to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty or as a result of military noise exposure.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, another remand is required to schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.