Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss disability, which is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims of entitlement to service connection for a left foot disorder, a right foot disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for left ear hearing loss, but the claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to a need for further clarification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current diagnosis is related to in-service noise exposure. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease (CAD)/heart disease, memory loss, Bell’s Palsy, psoriasis, and chronic pain disorder due to outstanding treatment records not being in evidence. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment medical records from earlier than October 31, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The Veteran's claims of increased rating for PTSD, service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, and service connection for right knee osteoarthritis are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling medical examinations to determine if the Veteran's left ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a gastrointestinal disability, bilateral hearing loss, and initial rating for panic disorder with insomnia disorder is granted. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher initial rating for panic disorder with insomnia disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including a gunshot wound in the left buttock and associated nerve condition, make it impossible for him to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that another remand is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities due to a failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations. The issues are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his combined disability rating does not meet the criteria for a TDIU and he is still capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of painful left foot scar was denied. The service connection claims for low back disability, right ear hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, and psychiatric disability were remanded. A TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection. Service connection for pelvic disability and schistosomiasis bilharzia are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability. The claims for higher ratings for sinusitis and atrioventricular block with bradycardia are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their current severity.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA audiological testing results and a new examination of his right ankle disability. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues have been addressed.

The Veteran's right middle finger amputation with scar is not rated compensably, as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5154.,Prior to April 25, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated noncompensably disabling. Since April 25, 2019, his hearing loss is not rated in excess of 50 percent.