Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the compensation rating for bilateral hearing loss and the initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction. The Veteran needs to provide additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and VA treatment records, as well as a new examination for both conditions.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as the previous examination did not provide sufficient information.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed because the appellant passed away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ must obtain a new VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service, including noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as it did not manifest in service and is otherwise not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), and a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran needs to provide lay statements from individuals who witnessed his symptoms following a seizure in service and any contemporaneous medical records documenting these events.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear sensorineural hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation and no causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 13, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran had no worse than Level VI hearing in the right ear and Level IV in the left ear, which equates to a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and other issues, requiring further development.

The Veteran's hypertension and left ear hearing loss have been evaluated based on the evidence of record. The Board has determined that a compensable rating for hypertension is not warranted, while an initial increased rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.,For several issues in this case, including service connection for various conditions such as a heart condition, nerve disorder affecting the left side of the body, left hand disorder, and vision disorder of the left eye, VA examinations were determined to be not warranted due to lack of evidence of current disorders. However, recent private medical records have been submitted indicating current disorders that may be associated with service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 7, 2019 was denied. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss from March 7, 2019 was also denied.

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

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to September 22, 2015. However, beginning on that date, the Veteran is now granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, including exposure to gunfire and mortar attacks.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examination and opinion regarding service connection for PTSD. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.