Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite, both big toes and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee was also denied.

The appeals for increased ratings for parasomnia not otherwise specified and bilateral hearing loss are dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include hearing loss, tinnitus, shoulder disabilities, low back disorder, multiple joint pain, and eye disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The Board found that his hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating based on the objective medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral SNHL is denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss during service or within the presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to this condition.,Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's cardiovascular condition, claimed as coronary artery disease, was not incurred during active service and is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during active service and is denied.,The Veteran's back condition was not incurred during active service and is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service ear conditions and their relation to current disabilities, including hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and reopened the claim for service connection for chronic shortness of breath due to asbestos exposure. The Veteran's current respiratory disorder was not found to be related to service, including possible asbestos exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.,For the remaining issues, the Board has remanded them due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cancer and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to potential in-service herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure and consider all evidence, including VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus (secondary to hearing loss) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic disability of the lumbar spine is denied as there is no evidence that his current condition began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the Board finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for multiple noncompensable service connected disabilities prior to July 31, 2014 is remanded due to lack of legal entitlement.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis is remanded as the VA medical opinion did not consider lay statements and was based on absence of treatment in service records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder (presumably sleep apnea) is remanded due to lack of VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability is remanded as no VA medical opinions have been obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma was granted effective August 28, 2014. The effective date for PTSD was also granted on the same day.

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

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the cases of left knee disability and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a VA examination to address service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.