Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the July 2014 rating decision. The claim for service connection for headaches is reopened, but a VA examination is needed to determine if there is any link between his low back disability and headaches.,A VA examination is required to assess whether the Veteran's current headache conditions are related to his active duty or to his low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including neurodermatitis and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. Recurrent tinnitus and gynecological disabilities, specifically uterine fibroids, are remanded for further development. The total hysterectomy is also remanded as it may be secondary to the uterine fibroid.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,The Board also found that the radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is secondary to his now service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to address the nature and severity of his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, right shoulder strain, and right knee strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's spinocerebellar ataxia is granted as service connected. Service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, skin cancer, residuals of a right elbow fracture, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to March 8, 2017 for his bilateral hearing loss disability. The issue of service connection for a right ear condition, including punctured collapsed right ear drum and vertigo, is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection as it is presumed to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service. Other claims for various conditions were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-service left ear hearing loss was aggravated by service in the U.S. Army.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinnitus was not incurred during service and the preponderance of the evidence does not support its connection to service.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking accrued benefits for conditions he had previously filed claims for, but the RO must adjudicate these claims before a determination as to accrued benefits may be offered.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to service connection and rating determinations for various conditions, as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection claims.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss, major depressive disorder and pain disorder, traumatic brain injury (TBI), vertigo and dizziness, vision problems to include tunnel vision, erectile dysfunction, and hyperpituitarism with low testosterone are all being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a current audiological examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability, for accrued purposes was denied as the evidence did not show that a compensable rating was warranted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at July 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to new evidence being needed.