Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current bilateral hearing loss to service, and also determined that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied a TDIU prior to September 4, 2013 due to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, headaches, back condition, nose condition, bilateral hearing loss, patellofemoral syndrome with hyperextension injury and suspected ACL involvement of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and residuals of a right shoulder injury. The Board has determined that further development is needed for these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for right ear hearing loss was denied in a June 1984 rating decision. The Veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement, and no new and material evidence was received within one year.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of an addendum opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to service or aggravated by service-connected right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The ratings for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, and right knee disorder are also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The claim for an effective date prior to January 22, 2014, for a compensable evaluation of diabetic nephropathy is also remanded. Additionally, several initial evaluations in excess of the current ratings are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of service connection claims, and SMC claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection as they are proximately due to or a result of his service-connected PTSD. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and prostatitis is denied, while service connection for hemorrhoids is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and left lower extremity neurological disability. The appeal regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence of record. The appeal regarding right ear hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hearing loss and an earlier effective date for tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus II and bilateral hearing loss have been granted due to exposure to herbicides during service. The claim for diabetes mellitus II is based on the presumption of exposure, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss is in equipoise with the evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bladder cancer have been granted. The claim for secondary service connection for residual leaking from stomach as secondary to bladder cancer is remanded.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded several claims including those for lightning strike residuals, numbness in hands and toes, GERD, skin disorder, discoid lupus, cataracts, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of contact with the Veteran and incomplete examination records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The claims for Meniere’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease/Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include generalized anxiety disorder), cirrhosis of the liver, a left shoulder disability, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity are all remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current hearing loss and his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss claims are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,Service connection for a low back disability, respiratory disability, and skin rash (eczema) is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology or pathophysiology of these conditions in relation to service.

The Veteran was awarded special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including hypertensive cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, tinnitus, hypertension, malaria, and hearing loss. The Board found that he required assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and preparing meals.