Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection, with the Board finding that it is at least in equipoise whether the condition was caused by service. The right shoulder disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are denied.,Service connection for a heart disorder secondary to hypertension is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and denied service connection for left knee disorder. The decision on the left knee disorder is based on a finding that it did not have its onset during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at Level I in both ears, warranting a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's left foot disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since February 20, 2007, finding that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more current examination.

The Board has determined that the RO did not make adequate attempts to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination, and therefore, the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and traumatic brain injury due to incomplete information in his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear tinnitus was dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere’s disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a positive tuberculosis test are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran had a history of noise exposure during service, which is considered sufficient to establish service connection for his current conditions.

The Veteran's left plantar fasciitis is granted as secondary to his service-connected right plantar fasciitis.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for a sleep disorder (claimed as 'sleep disturbances') is denied as no such condition was diagnosed during the period on appeal.,Fatigue is denied as there is no evidence of chronic fatigue syndrome or other primary disability manifested by fatigue.,Chest pain and memory loss are not shown to be related to service-connected PTSD.,Athlete’s foot and toenail fungus are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 26, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the March 2019 rating decision on appeal. The Veteran was not afforded a VA examination for hearing loss or tinnitus, and one is warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the claims of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for a lumbar spine disability, service connection for a right ankle disability and service connection for a right knee disability.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple gunshot wounds and resulting injuries, have rendered him unable to work due to severe physical limitations. The Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.