Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea are all found to be related to service. High cholesterol is not a disability for VA purposes. The acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD), including unspecified depressive disorder and bipolar affective disorder, is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 0 percent and the Board has decided to remand this case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and specific phobia.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypertension, ED, right ear hearing loss disability, and allergic rhinitis have been granted. The effective dates for these grants are not earlier than March 13, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability has been denied. His claim for OSA is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The Veteran's lay statements indicate in-service noise exposure and trouble with hearing since active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disability (including colon cancer), kidney disability (including kidney failure), and diabetes. The evidence did not establish an in-service event or incident that caused these conditions.,The Board found insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in 2012. The Board is remanding the case to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may be related to service, but needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being sent back for a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the claims for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, hearing loss in the left ear, GERD, and skin rash (groin) are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as there was insufficient evidence to show that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss and neurological conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include generalized anxiety disorder), and PTSD due to additional evidentiary development being necessary.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to active duty service. Therefore, the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal before a decision was made, thus all issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for left foot, right foot, lower back, right hip, and left hip disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as left ear hearing loss were denied. The claim for payment of nonservice-connected pension benefits while incarcerated was also denied due to the Veteran's incarceration status. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, as well as a review of existing evidence. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a condition of the legs manifested by cramping and muscle aches, and a bilateral foot condition.