Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his appeal for an increased rating for the same condition was also denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for lumbar spine DDD was denied as the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue syndrome has been dismissed. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as depression, is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus, make it impossible for him to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is denied as the most recent VA examination did not show any exceptional pattern of hearing impairment and the Veteran's speech recognition scores were within normal limits.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his disabilities are not service-connected, and he does not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the December 2018 VA examination, which did not consider the Veteran's lay statements about hearing loss related to explosions during his deployment in Iraq. The issue is being sent back for a new examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability, GERD, laryngeal dysphonia, and bilateral hearing loss were all denied service connection.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, migraines, mid and lower back condition, and sleep apnea were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with a rating of 100%.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition characterized by nervousness and anxiety is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's right trigger finger/flexor tendonitis is granted a 10 percent rating, effective from July 25, 2018. The hearing loss remains at Level III in the right ear. Service connection for bladder/voiding dysfunction and gum disease/dental problems are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for right ear hearing loss, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board has denied his claim for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, Depression, Hearing Loss, and Tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for a respiratory condition secondary to asbestos exposure, a neurological disorder (trigeminal neuralgia/stroke), and headaches. The appeals are currently pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate opinion regarding the relationship between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service-connected exposure to acoustic trauma.