Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's frostbite residuals of the left foot, right foot, and right lower leg burn are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding the recoupment of separation pay for various disabilities, finding that VA was required to withhold this amount from his disability compensation benefits as per law.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential issues with the evidence regarding pre-service conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show a nexus to service, and continuity of symptoms within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board finds that a new examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran has these disabilities, their etiology, and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. For the period from March 14, 2019 onwards, a 10% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted. However, the initial rating for bilateral hearing loss from April 10, 2015 remains denied, as does the initial rating for TBI with residual tension headaches and vertigo from October 4, 2017. A separate compensable rating of 30% for vertigo as a residual of TBI has been granted.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against such a finding. The effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,His hypertension claim was also denied, as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence, including lack of in-service hearing loss and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a complete employment and education history.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the current level of disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, both claims remain denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 70 percent from March 28, 2018 to March 26, 2019. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,A 40 percent rating for the service-connected residuals of fractured left distal radius is granted, effective from November 26, 2014. A separate 20 percent rating for three painful surgical scars associated with the residual fractured left distal radius is also granted.,The Veteran's TDIU claim due to his service-connected disabilities is remanded pending assignment of appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has remanded four issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder pain, and lumbosacral strain due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, and to determine if an earlier effective date is warranted.