Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened to a level where an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted for the period from September 20, 2016 forward.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, headaches, left ear acoustic neuroma, and arthritis of the bilateral feet have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for left ear acoustic neuroma and headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's active service included noise exposure as a Morse code intercept operator, but his pre-discharge audiograms showed normal hearing. The Veteran reported experiencing symptoms of hearing loss and tinnitus since his military service, with the first documented evidence in 1987 for hearing loss and in the 1980s for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The appeal as to all other issues is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The heart disorder and skin disorder claims are also being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are remanded for a more recent examination of his lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus disability began during active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of service connection for hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial 0% rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to a claim of increased severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. However, the issue of bilateral hearing loss remains under consideration as a remanded matter.

The Veteran's knee braces, back brace, and medications caused damage to his clothing. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of recent examination, and requests additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s back disability is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's prostate cancer, status post robotic prostatectomy, results in erectile dysfunction but no other residuals, and the prostate cancer is in remission. The voiding dysfunction causes urine leakage, but it does not require the wearing of absorbent material or the use of an appliance. The condition does not cause increased urinary frequency or signs or symptoms of obstructed voiding.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction manifests as loss of erectile function, but without deformity of the penis.,The Veteran’s service-connected scars are not unstable or painful, measure less than 39 square centimeters in total area, are not associated with underlying tissue damage, and result in no functional impairments or disabling effects.,Audiometric testing establishes that the Veteran has had, at worst, level I hearing in the right ear. Audiometric testing also established that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.,While the Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during active military service, he does not have a left ear hearing disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus remain denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear medical evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, and a new VA audiological examination is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right ankle conditions, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's left and right knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed left and right ankle conditions or bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and any private treatment records. The Veteran is also given an opportunity to respond to the Supplemental Statement of the Case.