Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue is being remanded due to a procedural error. The Veteran's appeal of his PTSD evaluation was withdrawn during a videoconference before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the condition having been continuously present since active duty.

The Veteran's right-hand injury, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted. The Veteran is also granted service connection for hypertension and bilateral foot fungus. However, the Veteran's PTSD rating prior to November 20, 2017, remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, while his claim for the stab wound was dismissed. The Board found that there was a continuity of symptoms after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the evidence supported his claim of in-service noise exposure and persistent symptoms since service.,A VA hearing loss examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has current hearing loss, which may be related to service. He testified that he experienced hearing loss during service and since then.,The Veteran's headaches were remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology. The Veteran testified that his symptoms began in service and have persisted.,A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and cause of any right shoulder disability, including pain. The Veteran testified about an injury during boot camp which he avoided seeking treatment for fear of retribution.,The Veteran's right knee disability was remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology. He testified that his duties as an infantryman put stress on his knees and led to current pain.,A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability, including any flare-ups requiring bedrest.

The Board has granted service connection for left-ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of right-ear hearing loss due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to the need for updated evidence of current severity for bilateral hearing loss, a VA examination for a low back disorder, and a VA examination for a digestive disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus have been denied as there is no current evidence of such conditions during the pendency of his claim.,Service connection has also been remanded for prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease due to alleged herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran died during the pendency of the hearing loss rating reduction claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected, but the rating for his hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and clarification of a private audiological examination report.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis and bilateral hearing loss render him unemployable, allowing for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure as a boiler room technician.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The remaining claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, respiratory disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss due to new and material evidence, but remanded for further audiometric testing.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that he is entitled to this benefit based on direct evidence of a current disability, as well as continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen several of the Veteran's previously denied claims, but did not grant service connection for any of them.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the etiology of these conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records, conduct a VA examination, and provide an addendum opinion.