Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 40 percent disabling prior to August 23, 2019. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective June 19, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 60% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 16, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating prior to May 16, 2015, and only a 10 percent rating from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD, as well as his claim for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral foot disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service, including conceded noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his hearing loss and its related symptoms, including vertigo, dizziness, stress, anxiety, vision problems (including cataracts), and any other conditions he claims are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss, prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and work experience from January 31, 2003 to June 1, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability but has remanded the issue of left ear hearing loss disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's appeals due to new evidence being added to the claims file, and requests that this evidence be reviewed by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while his major depressive disorder is granted a 30 percent rating. His coronary artery disease from June 13, 2013 to October 12, 2016, remains at 60 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and that continuity of symptomatology was not established. The Board also found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus between the current conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperacusis, and bilateral feet small fiber neuropathy. The Veteran's claims for a bilateral upper arm condition (to include fatigue), bilateral wrist nerve damage, bilateral elbow nerve damage, and bilateral leg condition (to include fatigue) are remanded.

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

The Board has restored the previously assigned disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease, finding that the reduction was not proper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and its relation to service. Additional development is needed, including verifying combat service in Korea and obtaining an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected, as it was caused by noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further evaluation of left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining a line of duty determination, additional VA treatment records, and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's in-service alcohol use.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for a stomach disability, right and left knee disabilities, right and left elbow disabilities, and a right hand disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.