Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, heart dysfunction and mitral regurgitation, and skin cancer were denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened but not granted due to lack of corroborated in-service stressor and no medical evidence linking the current condition to service. Service connection for heart dysfunction and mitral regurgitation and skin cancer were also denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection or rating decisions were made.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of an opinion regarding their etiology. The claims are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his left lower extremity disabilities, as well as his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to obtain SSA records, VA treatment records, and private psychiatric treatment records. A VA examination is also required to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine whether any current psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the failure of VA to schedule a VA examination as instructed in prior Board remands. The Veteran contends that his hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left leg stab wound injury and bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ must obtain his complete service treatment records, including any missing ones from his active duty service and National Guard service. They should also request an additional VA examination to determine if he has any residuals of a left leg stab wound injury or any current hearing loss that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss worsened since his 2016 VA examination, and an additional VA examination is needed to determine the current level of severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is causally related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of high blood pressure secondary to his service-connected asthma.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right foot condition. The issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The hypertension claim is remanded for further review considering the new NAS study.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has found that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.,Service connection was denied for low back and right knee disabilities due to lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran reported pain but no functional impairment or limitation in these areas.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 13, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment warranted a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.,For the period on and after September 13, 2019, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied because the evidence did not demonstrate an exceptional pattern of hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a hand fracture, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and cervical spine disability due to lack of consideration of service treatment records and need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus, gynecomastia, and left little finger disability have been granted service connection. The RO increased the rating for bilateral pes planus to 10 percent in July 2018. However, his right knee strain, left knee strain, and residuals of MRSA infection remain at noncompensable ratings. These issues are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and cancer (including prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam, but a remand is needed to verify his exposure to herbicides while serving on Guam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from August 1, 2019 is dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal.