Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a more recent VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition and obtain any missing treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted. The Board found that new evidence received since the previous decisions raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, with no specific exposure basis provided.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and mental health disorders. The specific issues include fibromyalgia, left shoulder condition, left side back condition, cervical spine condition, left hand muscle failure, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, total abdominal hysterectomy, skin condition, headaches (including as secondary to seizures), carpal tunnel syndromes, seizures (to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), memory loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also requested additional evidence related to the Veteran's claims for service connection based on personal assault.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss was dismissed because he withdrew the appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The severance of service connection for tinnitus was not proper and service connection is restored. Entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was granted and he received a 10% evaluation. The appeals regarding his knee and shoulder conditions were remanded due to new evidence or issues not yet addressed. His claims for other disabilities, including chronic fatigue syndrome and gastrointestinal disorders, are also being reviewed.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for various service-connected disabilities as the Veteran did not file a proper claim prior to February 17, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has tinnitus that is related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, kidney cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, radiculopathy of both hands and lower extremities, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and tinnitus. The new evidence submitted since the June 2018 SOC will be considered.

The Board has decided that the appellant does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar myositis claim was not granted, as the evidence did not support a higher rating. Service connection for right hip sprain and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus due to the Appellant's ACDUTRA, but denied service connection for low back disorder as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, OSA, knee and ankle disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and right side numbness. The Veteran's service records do not show a current hearing loss disability or any of these other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the appellant.,The claim of service connection for right knee condition has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence since the January 2007 rating decision.,The reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for residuals of right acromioclavicular separation with degenerative joint disease, major was improper as there was no actual improvement in the Veteran's condition.,The claim for a compensable rating for alopecia areata has been denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to the claimed conditions.