Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board has vacated the decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue to allow for further development, including scheduling an examination of the Veteran at his prison.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for extension of temporary total disability rating, increased ratings, and individual unemployability due to service-connected conditions. The appeal was not timely filed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that presumptive service connection based on noise exposure could not be established.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or related symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether tinnitus is caused or worsened by service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, as the current evidence is insufficient to determine if the Veteran's hypertension or bilateral hearing loss are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure has been granted. However, his claims for prostate and neuropathy disabilities are remanded.,Service connection for lower back disability and COPD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.,The Board also found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of residuals of frostbite on his left foot. As such, service connection for this issue is also denied.

The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year for bilateral wrist braces used by the Veteran to treat his service-connected bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30 percent from October 20, 2018 to June 20, 2019 and granted a 40 percent rating starting from June 21, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service and that his left ear hearing loss present upon enlistment was as least as likely as not aggravated by active military service. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 2010, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. Additionally, the Veteran has been awarded a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss, chronic headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and right eye condition. The Board will also consider service connection claims.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the audiometric results provided.