Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of a link between the condition and in-service noise exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA treatment records and insufficient examination. The Veteran's hearing loss may be related to his military noise exposure, but further medical opinion is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to service exposure aboard USS Yorktown.

The Veteran's claim for an initial schedular compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss that meets the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as his tinnitus did not begin during active service and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back conditions is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and PTSD with major depressive disorder as well as the TDIU claim due to potential errors in the decision-making process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, with the Board finding that his tinnitus began during active service and is related to military noise exposure.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye disability (including retina, scarring, atrophy, or irregularities of, eye disease, vision, and visual impairment) are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability is denied as there is no evidence suggesting the condition began in or is related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted, with the Board finding that it is etiologically related to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tremors disability as there are no allegations of error of fact or law for appellate consideration.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus is denied because it is less likely than not related to his in-service complaints, which did not include tinnitus.,The Veteran's claims for right shin splints and left shin splints are granted as they meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claim for lumbar spine degenerative disease is denied as there is no nexus between the current disability and his in-service complaint of low back pain.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims regarding recognition of statements as timely NODs and entitlement to attorney fees, finding that the statements were not filed within 60 days of the July 10, 2017 decision.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including TBI residuals and PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his records.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and right lower extremity are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further action, including the acquisition of private treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the other issues.

The Veteran's left ear mastoiditis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease (cervical spine disability), right upper extremity radiculopathy, and tension headaches have been granted. The Veteran's service connection for right ear hearing loss and right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine disability are remanded.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for phlebitis, blood clots is granted. The appeal is allowed to that extent only regarding PTSD and hearing loss disability.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current tinnitus is considered a chronic disease and can be service connected based on continuity of symptomatology alone.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for left shoulder dislocation is reopened, and his right shoulder disability rating is remanded. The hearing loss issue remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was initially rated as noncompensable prior to June 12, 2017. As of that date, a 10 percent rating was granted.,Effective March 20, 2019, the Veteran is entitled to a 50 percent disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.