Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for an updated VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss is determined to be related to service exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including CAD, ulcerated colitis, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, CFS, diverticulitis, residuals of TBI, seizures and/or epilepsy, and PTSD are granted. The decision also includes remand items for further review.

The Veteran's claims for compensable initial ratings for left-ear hearing loss and deviated septum status post-repair were denied as there was no evidence of the required severity to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee condition, and Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) due to insufficient evidence. The case must be returned to VA so that they can obtain additional medical records and ensure all relevant personnel records are available.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate rationale in the VA examiner's opinion and the need for further development regarding noise exposure during service and post-service.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss (BHL) is denied. The current 30 percent rating has been upheld.,A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective from February 14, 2018.

The Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are being remanded as the VA examiners did not adequately address whether they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to determine if he has a current hearing loss disability, and its likely etiology.,The Veteran's tinnitus is being remanded to determine its likely etiology, including whether it was incurred in service.,The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are being remanded as the VA examiners did not adequately address his request for treatment during service or any head injury therein.,The Veteran's TBI and migraine headaches are being remanded to determine their likely etiology.

The Veteran's appeal regarding scoliosis and kyphosis of the back was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee disabilities were denied due to lack of additional functional impairment beyond limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of medical opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including some that have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are related to service connection for various conditions and rating of disabilities such as right foot fracture residuals, TBI with headaches, low back disability, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, left wrist disability, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted due to the presumption of exposure to noise during active duty, leading to continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a right ankle disability and hearing loss are denied.,Back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining authorization and requesting private treatment records related to hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, a supplemental opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to ear infections during service.

The Veteran's claims were not granted and all requested ratings were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA).

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.,Service connection has not been established for either condition, with the Board finding that any current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, PTSD, hearing loss, and hypertension. However, the claim for service connection of hypertension is reopened due to a recent determination from the National Academy of Sciences upgrading hypertension to the 'sufficient' category.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as the evidence does not show an increase in severity of his condition.