Hearing loss decisions — 2019

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with a 100% rating assigned for PTSD.,Remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as he did not meet the schedular requirements and there was insufficient evidence to find that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated and found to be noncompensable under the schedular criteria, resulting in a denial of a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity has not worsened to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 10, 2018, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is dismissed. The claim for service connection for a right foot condition and a left foot condition was previously denied by a January 2009 rating decision; the Veteran did not appeal the decision and documentation constituting new and material evidence was not actually or constructively received within the one-year appeal period. New and material evidence having been received, reopening of the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability is granted. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (previously ischemic heart disease) and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and is not related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and sinusitis. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is remanded for further examination.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss remains pending as it requires additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the January 2019 VA examination report and the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as she does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,Service connection for a stomach disability is also denied, as there is no evidence of such a condition during her active duty or at any time since.

The Board dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not currently under consideration due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for right knee baker's cyst.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the case is remanded for further development regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of right ear hearing loss and that the current level of hearing impairment in both ears does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need to verify the Veteran's National Guard service and obtain any associated examination reports and treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand all issues on appeal due to the need for additional service treatment records and personnel records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset during his service, with all doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of the PTSD claim has been granted. The claims for hypertension and nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) have also been granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. Other claims, including those related to hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, right knee disability, and brain lesions, are being remanded due to incomplete examinations or opinions.