Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically focusing on his right ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The decision is based on the need for updated examinations, additional development regarding employment history, and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The Board is seeking clarification on whether there was in-service noise exposure, and if so, its relationship to current conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical examinations and potential worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a skin rash, and breathing difficulties have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,The Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations for his claimed conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a cerebral vascular accident (stroke) claimed as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a lower back disability due to potential issues with service connection evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service.,Right ear hearing loss is denied as not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease. The decision is based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence shows a causal relationship between his in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence from before 2006, and a need for a supplemental opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiogram results and instructed the AOJ to obtain these records. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss rating remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and an increased rating for knee osteoarthritis. The specific issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracic spine disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and headaches.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss is granted, and the appeal is remanded for a compensable disability evaluation for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including lay statements of post-service symptomatology and recreational noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further medical examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent effective July 18, 2018. This rating is based on marked interference with employment and an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment in the left ear.

The Board has granted effective dates of October 31, 2005 for the awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's loss of teeth dental disability is not due to in-service trauma or disease, and therefore denied service connection. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and scar on upper lip are remanded for further review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has remanded his claim for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.