Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he required A&A or was permanently confined to his home.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD, as well as service connection for bilateral pes planus, were dismissed. The Board also remanded several other issues including hearing loss, sleep disorder, head condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, chronic low back condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted prior to September 10, 2019 and a 10 percent rating is warranted from that date forward.

The Board denied service connection for memory loss, secondary to residuals of subtotal transsphenoidal resection of benign pituitary macroadenoma. The Board also denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record. The decision on the left ear hearing loss disability claim is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD) are granted service connection, but tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and residuals of TBI due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service onset or causation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure, and his tinnitus is secondary to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran and the need for a VA examination. The effective dates of service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss have also been adjusted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, hypertension, residuals of a left foot injury, headaches, and a sinus disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset or relationship to service.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral vascular disease in both lower extremities and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin condition. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder and PTSD), and chronic cough. The Veteran's claims are pending as they have not been fully adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for the August 2019 decision, specifically regarding the November 2017 VA medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's in-service noise exposure resulted in delayed onset hearing loss.

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