Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, a compensable evaluation for chronic right knee strain with limitation of extension, and a compensable evaluation for chronic rhinitis due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relation to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate medical evidence. A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for a heart condition as due to exposure to herbicides has not been reopened.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been dismissed as the issues are moot due to the grant of service connection in a September 2019 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent audiometric evaluation and for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and has determined that it is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied. The left fifth metacarpal condition and PTSD are granted, but the initial increased ratings for these conditions are denied. Bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, and hip osteoarthritis claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service. The Board also found no competent and credible evidence demonstrating a direct relationship between the Veteran's OSA and his military service or any other event of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of his lumbosacral spine, entrapment of the lumbar nerve root in his left lower extremity, radiculopathy of his right lower extremity, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for right foot disability, low back disability, and muscle spasm disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Board has decided that there may be outstanding VA treatment records related to the Veteran's hearing loss claim and remands the case for further action.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and granted service connection for right hand osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to noise, which led to current hearing loss symptoms, and his reported injuries during service that resulted in current right hand osteoarthritis.