Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and readjudication. The effective dates for service connection remain at November 17, 2011.

The Board has denied a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a skin disorder (claimed as a fungal infection) due to potential service connection issues, including exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and headaches have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision.,Service connection for depression and anxiety (claimed as drug treatment) has also been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s current mental health conditions are not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are currently service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened, and he was granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral SNHL, sleep apnea, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (likely due to frostbite), and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and effective dates on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not been found to be related to his active service.,There is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner and lack of clarification on whether the Veteran’s back symptoms are caused by his diagnosed conditions or a motor vehicle accident. The claims for bilateral pes planus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss also require additional examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error. The VA needs to obtain updated medical opinions that consider the Veteran's lay statements and private audiological testing results.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for vertigo and assignment of a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has granted a 70% rating for the entire appeal period. The effective date of TDIU was granted as April 30, 2015.,The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss requires further examination to determine if he is entitled to an increased rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened due to new evidence showing they may have been related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, with the presumption of soundness rebutted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder was denied. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold weather injuries and PTSD, have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since June 13, 2012. He is granted a TDIU effective that date.

Service connection is denied for bilateral degenerative arthritis of the first toe, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and right foot hallux valgus.,Service connection is denied for left ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted effective January 30, 2019. The effective date of the increased rating is set at January 30, 2019.