Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with congestive heart failure, chronic renal insufficiency, and impotency secondary to diabetes has been reopened. The claim for bilateral hearing loss (claimed as defective hearing) is granted.,Service connection for tremors was denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain in-service and post-service treatment records for the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for further audiological testing. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The claims are now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted a 30% rating for bilateral hearing loss effective from February 13, 2019. The Veteran's claim was denied prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, including on an extraschedular basis. The AOJ is to provide the Veteran with notice regarding these claims, obtain relevant medical records, and adjudicate them based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is a current disability incurred during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin disability other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a compensable initial rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran's TMJ is currently rated as 30 percent disabling effective March 30, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and new guidance from the Court regarding the definition of 'unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.' The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to have significant functional effects on his ability to work, as evidenced by private vocational assessments. Further examination is needed to determine if he qualifies for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, IBS, sinusitis, bronchitis, chronic headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity have all been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is a positive medical nexus between his current disability and in-service noise exposure. The decision also grants new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

Service connection granted for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, but denied for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased ratings for PTSD, right eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to the need for more contemporaneous VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a diagnosis of hearing loss or tinnitus during service. The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection for both conditions was denied as the evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease, nor could it link these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to determine if service connection is warranted for bladder cancer, arthritis of the back and knees, and hearing loss. The Veteran's private treatment records are requested, as well as a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for asthma was remanded.