Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated and found to be at level II in the right ear and level I in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a duty-to-assist error prior to issuing the decision on appeal. The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations and medical opinions as required by previous remands.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss and their service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to attend to many of the activities of daily living without regular assistance from a personal caregiver, warranting SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities had their onset during service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating. His service-connected disabilities also prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the service connection claim for residuals of a stroke due to insufficient evidence regarding aggravation by the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus must be remanded due to procedural errors in the examination report. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for left ear hearing loss has been dismissed as the May 2019 appeal to the Board was effectively withdrawn due to concurrent election of different review options.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. However, his claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar strain with degenerative joint and disc disease and right leg sciatica as secondary to the thoracolumbar disability. The cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss claims have been withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on substitution of the Appellant as the claimant. The claims for asthma, pneumonia, kidney stones, and colon polyps have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeals for an effective date prior to January 23, 2018 for the increased 20 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and a left knee strain.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, or deviated nasal septum.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of left ear hearing loss due to a lack of adequate medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for testicular cancer is dismissed as he withdrew his appeal during a hearing.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not meet the auditory threshold criteria for VA purposes. The Board finds no evidence of current hearing loss disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on the Veteran's credible account and competent descriptions of ringing in ears since service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection for colon cancer is denied as there is no indication that it began during service or was related to asbestos exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability due to service-connected conditions.,The claim for service connection for a bilateral elbow disability secondary to colon cancer is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including GAD, MDD, and insomnia. The Veteran is also denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: an increased disability rating for anxiety disorder and a service connection claim for hearing loss of the left ear. The Veteran needs to provide updated VA treatment records, undergo a VA examination for his anxiety disorder, and have his hearing loss evaluated by a VA audiologist.