Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The heart condition claim remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

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

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another was granted with an effective date of July 6, 2015. The decision is based on a direct service connection to bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The case will also be adjudicated again to determine if a total disability rating based on individual unemployability should be granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left hand disability, and left foot disability due to missing service treatment records and lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of an increased rating for left ear hearing loss. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific matters decided.

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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not been manifested by hearing acuity worse than Level I, which warrants a noncompensable rating under the VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for neurofibroma and its associated scars. The vision disorder (diplopia) was also granted as secondary to the neurofibroma.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and that any potential noise exposure during service did not result in a hearing loss condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to noise exposure during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, as it is related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The NAS study from November 2018 upgraded the classification of an association between Agent Orange and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The right ear hearing loss claim is reopened, but further examination is needed to determine if it is related to service. Similar considerations apply to the right shoulder and left knee issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for eczema and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the lack of recent medical evidence and the need for a retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, but the appeal is only granted to this extent. The remaining issues of service connection for left foot disability, left ankle disability, dermatological condition (actinic keratosis), and thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for left foot disability, left ankle disability, dermatological condition (actinic keratosis), and thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to his service-connected conditions contributing substantially or materially to his death. DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case is being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. The Board found new and material evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, which is the existence of in-service hearing loss. As a result, the Veteran's claim is reopened.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the claims file, and the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hearing loss disability will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions had their onset in service.