Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's low back, bilateral hip, bilateral knee and bilateral ankle disabilities are found to be service-connected due to in-service hard landings and other stresses. The Veteran's prostate cancer is not entitled to a temporary total evaluation or an initial rating higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 100% since April 11, 2018. The TDIU claim was granted effective from May 2, 2017 to April 11, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected tinnitus.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, upper respiratory disability including sleep apnea, and hypertension are remanded.,Service connection for hepatitis A and B is denied.

The Board has determined that the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma, service connection for hearing loss, service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for IBS are still pending. The RO is instructed to consider all evidence since the July 2017 SOC in its consideration of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was dismissed. The claim for diabetes mellitus, presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service, is granted. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a low back condition, finding that there is no evidence of current disability or in-service injury related to these conditions.

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

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

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, as there are outstanding VA treatment records to be obtained and a new VA examination is needed for hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder will also require verification of stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions had their onset during military service and are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and left ankle osteoarthritis due to inadequate development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking his current bilateral hearing loss to noise exposure in service.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and sinusitis as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made him unable to secure and follow gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating. However, additional evidence is needed from SSA records and VA examinations to clarify the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and obtain additional medical records in order to properly assess his claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, low back condition, radiculopathy, left knee condition, right knee condition, and right shoulder condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure to noise. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but the hearing loss claim requires additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because his employment as a construction cost estimator, which he has held since retiring in 2005 and continues to hold part-time, is considered substantially gainful employment rather than marginal employment. The Board found that the Veteran’s employer did not provide protected or sheltered work environment for him.