Hearing loss decisions — 2020

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

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding these claims, thus granting reopening of the claim. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. However, the Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, sinusitis, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to a lack of recent VA examinations. The claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and TDIU were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has decided that further evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred during service or due to a condition related to his military service. The VA must obtain any relevant medical records from 2011 through 2014.

The Veteran's GAD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gout, higher disability ratings for hypertension with renal dysfunction, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of various conditions, including a right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's left knee condition is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Board has found that additional attempts must be made to locate and obtain missing military personnel and service treatment records from March 1995 until July 2000 in order to confirm whether the Veteran suffered his claimed injuries in the line of duty. The Board also notes that the Veteran did not appear for his VA examinations due to medical travel restrictions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing problems are at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to loud noises. The claim was reopened due to new evidence provided since the previous denial.