Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The decision also reopened the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to support his claims of GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for PTSD remains denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of an injury to the right foot are remanded due to evidence of worsening.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is dismissed.,Service connection for heart disease is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, numbness of the left fingers, numbness of the right fingers, a left foot condition, a right foot condition, and numbness on the right side (described as right leg numbness) are remanded.,Service connection for teeth loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure (hypertension) is remanded.,Service connection for low testosterone is remanded.,Service connection for a right knee disability (claimed as a weak right knee), a low back disability (claimed as low back stiffness), and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the propriety of reducing the disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 60 to 20 percent effective November 1, 2012 is in dispute. The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea are both remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with an average hearing threshold level of 23 in the right ear and 29 in the left ear. The Board found that this does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and left little finger injury due to lack of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) after new evidence was obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service combat-related acoustic trauma, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ring finger injury, hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a back injury due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. However, the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA audiological examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, they need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus is now granted, but his claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of flat feet, tinnitus, and knee conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to service despite the Veteran's contentions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, and the Board has dismissed the case.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and multiple physical disabilities, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, due to his employment during part of the appellate period, further evidence is needed to determine if his employment constitutes 'substantially gainful employment' or 'marginal employment'.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fractured jaw with loss of teeth has been denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, left inner ear condition, right inner ear condition, and skin condition have all been remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent from January 27, 2011 to August 21, 2018 and at 70 percent thereafter. The claims for service connection for anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, left inner ear condition, right inner ear condition, and skin condition have all been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.