Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection of back disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no rating or effective date was assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 90 percent prior to April 1, 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder was received within one year of the December 2009 rating decision. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted, making the August 1984, April 2002, and December 2009 decisions final. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder was remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disease due to asbestos exposure are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disability, including PTSD, were granted service connection as they are related to their military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, duodenal ulcer with Barrett's esophagus and GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may have worsened since his last VA examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and her hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his preexisting conditions worsened during active duty. The decision also grants the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased hearing loss and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for clarification of his private audiometric test results and additional development regarding his employment history.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran's right knee patellar tendonitis is also being remanded for a new VA examination.,For the increased rating claim for patellar tendonitis of the right knee, additional VA medical records are needed, as well as a new VA examination.

The Board has found insufficient medical evidence to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and dementia. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, they need to verify if the Veteran was exposed to mustard gas during service at Lackland Air Force Base and provide an opinion on whether his current respiratory condition is related to service.