Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for polyneuropathy/peripheral neuropathy and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and relevant evidence, but granted service connection for tinnitus and low back disability.,Service connection was not established for polyneuropathy/peripheral neuropathy as the Veteran's condition did not manifest within one year after service. The Board found no link between the condition and military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to May 10, 2017, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a premature determination regarding the timeliness of his December 2014 substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for a brace used for his service-connected back disability and topical medication used for his service-connected eczema in 2018, as there was no evidence that these items caused significant damage to his clothes.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disorder is granted. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the claims for service connection of other conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, PTSD, and depressive disorder. The criteria for a higher rating were not met in any of these cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation for denying service connection for a right leg disability, including right leg lengthening.,Additional development is needed to determine if the leg length discrepancy constitutes a recognized disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability have all been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.,Service connection was presumed due to exposure during service, but clear and unmistakable evidence showed that the disabilities existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for sinusitis and service connection for deviated septum status post surgery repair (septoplasty) have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew from appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and residuals of an injury to the left eye were granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right shin disorders, hearing loss, residuals of hypothermia, and a psychiatric disorder. The Board found no evidence of chronic or identifiable disabilities in or after service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's initial rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned.,The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 10, 2019 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied. The Board finds that his hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation before this date.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for increased special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examinations. The issues of tinnitus, hearing loss, and psychiatric disorders remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to withdrawals by the Veteran or his representative. The appeal for secondary service connection for GERD was also dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion considering all relevant evidence, including his service records and lay assertions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The claim for service connection for a back disorder has been reopened, but the claim remains denied.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and hoarseness for further examination and evaluation. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

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