Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar strain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted.,Service connection is also denied for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.,For deviated nasal septum, prior to June 22, 2016, the Veteran was granted an initial noncompensable rating. From June 22, 2016 onwards, he is now rated at 10 percent due to complete obstruction of one nostril while sleeping.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be remanded due to incomplete medical records and a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are rated less than 60% combined and none exceed 40%. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions alone do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and secondary service connection to tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for atopic dermatitis due to new and material evidence. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing disability. The preponderance of the evidence did not demonstrate that the Veteran’s hearing problems began during or were related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury was granted. The claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right hip strain, and lumbar spine osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, acquired psychiatric condition (including nervous condition and PTSD), hearing loss of the right ear, and lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's spine condition is granted as service connection, with the claim reopened due to new and material evidence.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, with the claim reopened due to new and material evidence. The Veteran’s representative provided additional information regarding his stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) has been granted. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the claim for referral of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss for an extraschedular evaluation, finding that the disability was adequately contemplated by the assigned schedular ratings and did not produce marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalizations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the cause of these conditions being considered direct rather than through a presumption or other specific theory.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a higher disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of these conditions. The Veteran's service records show no significant noise exposure after service, but he testified that he noticed hearing loss in service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, bilateral knee disorder, foot fungus disorder, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), and low back disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service.,There is no current evidence linking any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but has found that remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Board also finds that remand is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability/radiculopathy cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gall bladder removal scars has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability (claimed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine) is remanded.