Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 1, 2015 was withdrawn. The initial rating for PTSD from June 8, 2004 was granted at 70%, and the grant of TDIU also took effect on that date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have started during service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 10% effective as of March 21, 2019. Prior to that date, the rating was noncompensable.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have been incurred during service.,Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial evaluations have been dismissed.,His claims for service connection for bilateral high frequency hearing loss and lumbar spine condition with radiculopathy are reopened, but the latter is remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while his claim for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection and increased ratings can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and erectile dysfunction are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 1, 2018 and from November 1, 2018 has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions, including service connection and rating determinations. The Board also dismissed appeals regarding effective dates.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on evidence of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip bursitis, right and left knee arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection was denied for residuals of a chest injury.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is considered a disability and was incurred due to noise exposure during service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral vision loss due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, unspecified depressive disorder, heart disorder, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, stroke residuals, deviated nasal septum, and sinusitis has been granted. The claims for service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder), heart disorder, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, and stroke residuals have not been established.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for left hip disability and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with these records.