Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any current hearing loss was related to service.

The Board has vacated the June 2019 decision denying an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for all the listed conditions, and as a result, these appeals are dismissed.

The appeal of the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed because the Veteran did not submit a notice of disagreement with the September 2019 rating action that awarded service connection and assigned a non-compensable disability evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as non-compensable throughout the appeal period, and the Board finds that his condition does not warrant a compensable rating at any point during this time.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lung nodules, ischemic brain condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there was no evidence of hearing changes during service. Right knee disability and low back disability were also not incurred or aggravated in service.,Right knee disability and low back disability were not incurred or aggravated in service, as the Veteran did not report any such issues at separation from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the record, and it is not yet considered by the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the cases of initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for left foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, including obtaining VA treatment records and tax returns. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to assess his current bilateral hearing loss severity.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The right knee disability case is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for GERD, claimed as a stomach condition, is denied. The Veteran's claim for chronic nausea and dizziness (claimed as chronic seasickness) to include as secondary to his now service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hearing loss make it impossible for him to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim of service connection for childhood onset fluency disorder is granted.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 29, 2019 is being remanded due to an error in obtaining relevant private audiologic treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an ear disability (chronic suppurative otitis media) due to a duty to assist error in his service treatment records. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination to determine the probable nature and etiology of any diagnosed disabilities of the bilateral ears.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing impairment is likely related to noise exposure during his military service.