Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for an audiological examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable disability rating prior to August 24, 2018 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The criteria for service connection have been met in both cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for dental trauma is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and TDIU due to incomplete compliance with its prior remand instructions. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss with an effective date of November 17, 2011. The Veteran's claims were filed on this date.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and right eye disorders due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship to service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. The claim for PTSD is denied, and the claims for residuals of a left shoulder injury, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service connection for atrial fibrillation were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeals were denied across multiple issues, including his claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his attempts to reopen a claim related to a left forearm disability. His cervical spine, hypertension, and heart disabilities were also not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee DJD are being remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee DJD are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus. The Appellant's periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA do not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis related to these conditions.,For the skin disorder, chronic rhinitis, and sinusitis claims, new opinions are needed as the VA examinations did not differentiate between ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA periods.

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

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and credible reports of his post-service occupational history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, carpal tunnel of the upper extremities, cervical spine disability, and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied in July 2002. New evidence received since then raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, and it is therefore reopened. The case is remanded to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, entitlement to disability benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 (2012) for additional disability of the eyes, and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to incomplete medical records and lack of clarity regarding whether the surgery was provided by VA.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is service connected as it began during his military service and has continued since.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied in a previous decision. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are set at November 3, 2018.