Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the other issues due to lack of examination or evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal during the July 2019 Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim of bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status prior to February 16, 2016 was denied. However, from April 17, 2015 to February 15, 2016, he met the criteria for blindness in both eyes having only light perception, which granted him special monthly compensation at a 50% rate.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 19, 2019 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from March 19, 2019 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder) due to incomplete development. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from VA and private providers.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in March 2014, and he should be evaluated again to determine the current level of impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure of VA examinations and lack of notification. The issues include left eye disorder, genitourinary disorder, sinus disorder, skin disorder (including skin cancer), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a VA audiological examination, as well as for an opinion on the etiology of hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection. The issue of an increased rating for achilles tendonitis and right ankle sprain is remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 20, 2014 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation from May 20, 2014 through June 5, 2019 was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation after June 6, 2019 remains pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has remanded for further examination regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is denied for glioblastoma multiforme, stroke, left-sided weakness and sensory deficits, left hand disability, left leg disability, left foot disability, bilateral eye disability, and seizures.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, gastroenteritis, and hemorrhoids due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now considered substantiated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service acoustic trauma, which led to current disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is not related to his military service.