Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria as he is not in need of regular aid and assistance nor is he substantially confined to his dwelling.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric condition (including schizophrenia and PTSD), type II diabetes mellitus, and a foot condition. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain the Veteran's January 2011 VA audiogram and other treatment records, as well as for another VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to August 13, 2014 and at Level V from that date. The Board denied both the request for a compensable rating before August 13, 2014 and a greater than 10 percent rating after that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to July 30, 2019. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The TDIU claim must be adjudicated first as it relates to all service-connected disabilities.

The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes, low back pain, sinusitis, hypertension, GERD, painful lower extremities/myalgias, coronary artery disease (heart disease), flu virus, group C virus, adenovirus, skin disability, and right kidney disability have all been denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.,The claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals, fractures, right toes has been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether it is causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for a perforated left eardrum is dismissed. The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a skin disability, including psoriasis and rosacea of the face and elbows.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of sufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals before the Board could make a decision on them.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his hazardous noise exposure during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The claim for service connection for PTSD, mental condition including PTSD, right knee patella compression syndrome, left knee patella compression syndrome, and bilateral hearing loss has been reopened. The claims are now pending on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye condition is withdrawn from appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for TBI prior to April 19, 2019 was denied. The rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee traumatic arthritis with limitation of extension and the compensable rating for right ear hearing loss were also denied.