Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at a 0 percent rating prior to December 17, 2018. Since then, the rating has been increased to a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the case.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions, but has remanded several issues including service connection for a skin condition (claimed as eczema/folliculitis) and residuals of right hand fracture. The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have hearing impairment for VA purposes and denied service connection for hearing loss. The neck disability issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional audiological evaluations and records, including legible copies of hearing conservation data audiograms from July 2010 and August 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on direct basis were denied. The rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertensive vascular disease, arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted because he experienced noise exposure during service and has a current diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service noise exposure is consistent with his combat service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 28, 1980 for the award of service connection for PTSD on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a March 1981 rating decision. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development due to inadequate rationale in the previous medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown to be incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board found no medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to military noise exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for thyroid problems, infertility, bilateral hearing loss, joint pain, and diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied reopening the claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The claim for dental treatment purposes is remanded.

Your appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her right foot bunion disability is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment or significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's mood disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities, but his sleep disorder and hearing loss are not separately service connected. The lower back disability remains at a 20 percent rating, while the hypertension continues at its current 10 percent rating.