Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for spinal degeneration with upper and lower back pain, hearing loss, COPD, laryngeal cancer, and skin cancer for further development. The claims are being held in abeyance until VA determines whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, finding that the conditions began in service and are related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's skin disorder of the bilateral feet, claimed as jungle rot (tinea unguium).,However, the skin condition must be further clarified. The examiner should determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.,A remand is ordered due to outstanding VA and SSA records needed for a complete evaluation of the Veteran's major depressive disorder and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted based on the Veteran's credible and competent testimony regarding his symptoms during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease during or within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to service.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted, but the cases are remanded as further medical opinion is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions were incurred in service.,Service connection was also granted for tension headaches. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and chronic fatigue syndrome have been denied.

The Board's decision regarding the Veteran's claims for TDIU and reduction of his bilateral hearing loss disability rating is dismissed as it has been affirmed by a court ruling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right arm disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or DDD of the lumbar spine. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and DDD of the lumbar spine are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent from April 23, 2019. The claim for a higher rating before that date was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to lack of physical loss or impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error in the January 2019 VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for major depression and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not reach equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during or were related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative lumbar disc disease, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction, are found to be so severe that they prevent the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus (DM2) with intertrigo and hypertension is currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as it does not meet the criteria for a 60 percent or 100 percent rating.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available prior to January 22, 2019. The evidence does not support an increase in this rating period.,The Veteran's peripheral neuritis of the left upper extremity (LUE) and right upper extremity (RUE) have both been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions.,SMC based on need for aid and attendance by another has not been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to in-service noise exposure and persisted since service.