Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy; and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current disability, the evidence does not show a nexus to service, and the criteria for presumptive service connection are not met.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from March 9, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions and earlier effective dates are pending.

Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's low back disorder and right hip disorder are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus secondary to service-connected left ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of diabetes mellitus type I is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to missing records and insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 16, 2017 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied. The Board also found that the earlier effective date claim based on CUE in the June 1973 rating decision is inextricably intertwined with the main claim and must be remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, and his right knee disorder is granted. The left shoulder acromioclavicular sprain with impingement syndrome and PTSD are both remanded for further review.,An effective date earlier than August 11, 2015, cannot be established for the increased ratings of left shoulder acromioclavicular sprain with impingement syndrome and PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The left wrist condition remains remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an eye condition due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The Veteran must provide details of his in-service stressors and complete VA treatment records are needed.

The Board has found that additional development is required before addressing the merits of the issue of entitlement to service connection for hand tremors, as it relates to exposure to Agent Orange during service at Fort Ord, California.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer, neck cancer, low back condition, and COPD are all remanded for further examination and opinion. The appeals will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with a pure tone threshold average of 29 decibels and speech recognition score of 94 percent. The Board found that the disability picture is contemplated by the rating schedule.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding his claim of secondary service connection for a vestibular disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to January 14, 2014, for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete development.

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

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere’s disease need further investigation and evidence, hence remanding these issues.