Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of an adequate opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran is presumed to have in-service noise exposure as a pilot, but his service records do not contain audiometric testing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU benefits. The need for SMC based on aid and attendance is also granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable under the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The Board found that his current level of hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, Gilbert's syndrome, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records. The Veteran is advised to provide any relevant medical records from the VA Medical Center in San Juan.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown during service or within one year of separation, and are therefore not service-connected.,Malaria is not a condition that can be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of malaria.,Hypertension was not shown during service or within one year of separation, and is not service-connected.,Ulcerative colitis is not related to active service.,Metastatic rectal cancer is presumed to be due to the Veteran's active service.,Left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy are all found to be related to the Veteran's active service.,PTSD was not diagnosed during service or within one year of separation. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.,An acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressive disorder, is secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected rectal cancer.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records from prior to February 2013 and April 2018, as well as any SSA disability records and Walter Reed Army Medical Center records related to his heart failure. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination for his hypertension claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear and right ear hearing loss, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and evaluation of his conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination, as some records are missing or not properly obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for vertigo. The claims of secondary service connection for sleep apnea and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new audiometric examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.,The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus (secondary to cluster headaches), and latent tuberculosis (due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss in the right ear, and a back disability due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for bilateral hearing loss and right forearm scar are remanded due to insufficient evidence.