Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issues of service connection for headaches and respiratory condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss have been granted. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and initial compensable rating for second metatarsal bone fracture due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, chronic low back strain with invertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 11, 2013.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The right ear hearing loss and low back disorder/cervical spine disorder claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal with respect to the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions is dismissed.

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 noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with tendonitis and tendinosis, as well as his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, require further examination to determine their current severity. The issues of an increased rating for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete service treatment records. The VA will attempt to obtain any missing records, provide notice as required by law, conduct further development if necessary, and then readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder is dismissed.,Service connection granted for right wrist disability, left wrist disability, and headaches as a residual of TBI.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, a left foot condition, a left ankle condition, and a psychiatric disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a left foot injury.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for multiple joint arthritis, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, cardiac disability (including heart palpitations), and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support the contention that COPD was caused by exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 6, 2021 as his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for kidney stones, right ear hearing loss, and chronic sinusitis due to new evidence received since the last final decision. The claims are being reviewed again as they may have a connection to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but finds that additional development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus has been granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded.