Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by Level I hearing acuity in both ears and does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and depressive disorder are being remanded for further evaluation due to the passage of time since their last VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are granted, but the claim regarding dental disability is remanded due to issues of CUE in prior rating decisions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service connected due to in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation to consider his current service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to pursue a nursing degree.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, vertigo or Meniere’s disease, insomnia, conjunctivitis, cataracts, ulcers, headaches, right-hand and left-hand disabilities, squamous cell skin cancer, cholecystitis (claimed as a gallbladder disability), colitis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disability on the back, PTSD, right knee disability, lower back disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and GERD. The claims are denied as secondary to service-connected disabilities or due to in-service exposure.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity, with metastatic lymph node cancer of the neck and squamous cell cancer of the left alveolar ridge are granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents. His bilateral hearing loss disability is also granted as it was proximately caused by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected due to exposure to jet engine noise during service and the presence of continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine the severity of his right and left tibia stress fractures.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with a previous remand order. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's hyperlipidemia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) are not service-connected.,Diabetes mellitus is remanded for further review due to herbicide agent exposure.,Right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy are secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II and require further review.,Hypertension is remanded as it may be related to herbicide agent exposure or a heart disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 30, 2015 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not file a claim prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but dismissed the claim of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and extraschedular evaluation for his service-connected left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under either the schedular or extraschedular criteria.

The Veteran's service connection for right lower lumbar radiculopathy, temporary total rating based on the need for convalescence after March 16, 2012, and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of his spouse have been withdrawn. The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis lumbosacral spine has been granted a 40 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service onset or causation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for left foot arthritis is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ should obtain and associate the November 2017 audiogram findings with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence is needed. The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered, including consideration of secondary service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was also denied, as his hearing loss falls within the schedular criteria for a noncompensable rating.