Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as claims do not survive their deaths.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate schedular consideration of the Veteran's hearing loss-related impairments, particularly symptoms of dizziness. The Veteran must be afforded an examination to determine whether his symptoms of dizziness are attributable to his bilateral hearing loss or if he has a separately diagnosed condition that is characterized by dizziness.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to evaluations in excess of 10 percent for right and left iliotibial band syndrome, hearing loss, TMJ disability, and service connection for a left foot, right foot, left ankle, left hand, low back, and left shoulder disabilities have all been dismissed.,A compensable evaluation for headaches has been granted from October 10, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder, and hearing loss due to insufficient evidence on etiology.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran’s claims for gastrointestinal disability and headaches can be decided, as VA did not substantially comply with the December 2017 Board remand.,The Veteran's hearing loss of the right ear claim was denied because there is no evidence of current disability in accordance to VA standards.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as there are no audiological examination results to determine if he currently has a disability.,The Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, headaches (secondary to cervical spine disability), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to cervical spine disability) are being remanded due to the need for VA examination to assess current conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature, etiology, and relationship of his current hearing loss disability to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for new VA examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and an initial compensable evaluation for left ear sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities in accordance with VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, cervical condition, and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examinations and exposure to burn pits during service.

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 in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues due to incomplete records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development due to insufficient examination reports and potential exposure during reserve service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's prolonged noise exposure during service is at least as likely as not responsible for her current condition. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to insufficient evidence linking the disability to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, tobacco use disorder, and alcohol use disorder, which are associated with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, and insomnia), residuals of a burn to the face, and bilateral impaired vision are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.