Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records relevant to his right shoulder condition. The Board will then consider the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back condition, and right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess its current severity and whether extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may be related to his service-connected perennial rhinitis, but more evidence is needed to determine this.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of consideration of lay evidence and an inaccurate factual premise in the previous VA examination.

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

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest during or within one year after his active duty service.

The claim to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for left knee disability is granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, cirrhosis of the liver (secondary to Hepatitis C), chronic fatigue syndrome (secondary to Hepatitis C), and hepatic encephalopathy (secondary to Hepatitis C) have been granted service connection. The rating for residuals of shell fragment wound of the lumbar area with retained metallic foreign body is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that his preexisting hearing loss did not worsen during service and thus could not be considered aggravated.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as there is no evidence that he requires such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back disorder, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and headaches have been reopened. However, the Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 29, 2014, for the award of a 50% rating for other specified trauma related disorder with major depressive disorder and history of PTSD is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as their relationship to military service.

The Board has found the VA Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Disability Benefits Questionnaire opinions inadequate, and thus remands the cases for new etiology opinions that address the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure and symptom onset.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, conflicting diagnoses, and functional limitations. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The case is being remanded for further development to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including its functional effects and impact on employment.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, granted those claims, and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for low back condition, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and left hip condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's GERD with gastritis is rated at 60 percent, which meets the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and GERD with gastritis qualify him for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).