Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 3, 2018.

The Veteran's scars of the right lower extremity are granted a rating of 20 percent from April 9, 2018. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for a right ankle condition and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The claim was reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran's PTSD claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, leading to their dismissal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been reopened.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, headaches, sleep apnea, and GERD has been granted. The claims for hypertension have not met the criteria.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's ear pain is granted as secondary to her service-connected TMJ dysfunction.,Bilateral hearing loss is granted, with the condition being presumed incurred in service due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of hearing loss due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain and lumbar strain have been remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.,The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome in both knees has been remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.,The Veteran's service-connected medial tibial stress syndrome in both legs has been remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been remanded for an examination to determine whether he currently has a disability within the meaning of VA regulation.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral eye condition has been remanded for an examination to determine whether any diagnosed conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.,The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder, left hand, right hip, right thigh, bilateral ankle, bilateral foot, and bilateral toe disabilities have been remanded for examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and a bilateral eye disability are currently pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability found by VA standards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability, back disability and bilateral leg disability, initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records, verifying service dates, and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hip conditions, foot conditions, and hypertension. The issues of secondary service connection for right leg condition and left leg disability have also been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for hearing loss and hypertension, but granted them on the basis that new evidence had been submitted. It also denied the Veteran's petitions for service connection for kidney condition, skin condition, obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy with radiculopathy (associated with lumbar degenerative joint disease with IVDS L4/5). The effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD was set at September 14, 2015.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 1, 2016.,From April 1, 2016 onwards, the appellant's combined evaluation did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The psychiatric disorder was rated as 50 percent disabling, and other service-connected conditions were rated at various levels.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. Tinnitus has been granted as the Veteran currently experiences tinnitus that can be linked to his service.,Service connection for lumbar spine strain was granted with an effective date of July 1, 1972. The Veteran's asthma and emphysema are rated at 20%.