Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have started during his military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100% rating effective October 12, 2018.,An increased rating of 70% for right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted effective January 29, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted. The case is remanded for further action on the claims for bilateral hearing loss and SMC rate determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hemorrhoids, right knee disability, lumbosacral spine disability, and cervical spine disability.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear, tinnitus, and unspecified trauma- and stressor-related disorder are all granted as service-connected. The PTSD is not granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable prior to December 17, 2019 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The appeal for increased ratings is REMANDED.,Service connection for the heart murmur (claimed as a heart condition) and Chiari Malformation are both REMANDED.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a mental disorder, and various musculoskeletal conditions. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence to support the presence or causation of any of these conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the cases of left ear hearing loss, hammertoe, and TDIU due to inadequate examinations and the need for additional information regarding the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining a copy of the appellant's death certificate to confirm if he has died, and for addressing his claim for burial expenses.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. However, his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of bilateral hearing loss, as it was shown in service records. The Veteran claims that he is unable to attend due to chemotherapy.

The Board has ordered the Veteran's claim remanded to obtain an audiogram from April 21, 2015 and review the evidence for a determination on whether his bilateral hearing loss worsened in 2015 warranting a compensable rating prior to July 28, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, including a lack of in-service records and potential delayed onset.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore, his claim for PTSD failed to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, varicose veins, and plantar fasciitis (claimed as bone spurs). Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,Bilateral hearing loss was established based on audiometric findings from a December 2012 VA examination. Tinnitus was diagnosed in the same examination.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left index finger scars and to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, GERD, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his hearing loss.