Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The back disability is not granted an increased rating, but a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss was dismissed because the Veteran's authorized representative requested to withdraw the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding records and audiograms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and lack of DRO hearing transcript. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if he has right ear hearing loss, address private audiological evaluations, and provide rationale for the opinion.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied. He currently has a 10% rating since February 20, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer as the Veteran's attorney withdrew the claims. The appeal for SMC based on housebound status is granted from May 28, 2008 to August 1, 2008.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and a compensable rating for an umbilical hernia have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right hip disability, left ear hearing loss, and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a finding that his current condition was incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, heart disability, liver disability, GERD, and sleep disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial claims for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss prior to July 21, 2016 and left ear hearing loss from July 21, 2016 were denied as his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA regulations.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The left ear hearing loss rating remains at noncompensable.

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

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, depression, an eye condition, and a respiratory condition due to in-service service. Additional development is needed including obtaining medical records, providing notice regarding Persian Gulf War service, and scheduling examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for lung disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to musculoskeletal disabilities, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine sprain, thoracolumbar spine strain, and abdominal muscle strain are all denied. The Board finds that VA examinations are required for the remaining claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as his inability to perform daily activities is attributed to nonservice-connected conditions. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against the claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.