Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for chronic left knee pain and remanded the issue of service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU, so the claims are dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hearing loss claim requires further development and a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of these conditions being related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military noise exposure. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, as there is a documented history of tinnitus symptoms since service.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including obtaining additional medical records and completing a VA examination to assess the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as TDIU. The Board dismissed these appeals.

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

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for additional VA audiological examination and possible SSA records.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 21, 2014 was denied.,For the period from November 21, 2014, to March 17, 2016, the Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was also denied.,Since March 17, 2016, the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic back pain, tinnitus, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's chronic low back pain is related to his military service, while his tinnitus is also related to his military service. However, the evidence does not support a finding that his bilateral hearing loss began during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, which is related to PTSD or hypertension.

The Veteran is requesting a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which has worsened since the last examination. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than December 16, 2015, for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also denied as there is no evidence that he filed such claims prior to this date.

The Veteran's request to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is also granted. The decision on right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. However, it denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of audiometric findings meeting VA criteria.

The Board dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are no longer relevant due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's seizure disorder, hearing loss, head injury (including TBI), right ankle condition, and left knee condition are all granted service connection. The decision also notes that the Veteran has a history of functional impairment in his right ankle.