Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability may have had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to it. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and development due to insufficient audiological examination results.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for neck cancer, presumed due to herbicide exposure, was also denied because the disability did not manifest within one year after separation from service and is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has found the VA examination insufficient for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo, thus remanding these issues.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of cold injury to the left and right foot. The lumbar spine disorder issue remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis have been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these issues before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have resulted in his need for aid and attendance in the activities of daily living, which is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to missing audiogram and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service, leading to a denial of his claim. The Court has now ordered remand due to an error in the February 2016 rating decision regarding missing audiometric records from VA Medical Center Pittsburgh.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the disability. Updated VA treatment records are also required.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower extremities is also service connected.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the evidence does not support a finding that his hypertension or cardiovascular-renal disease (including hypertension) began in service.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as they did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's tinnitus was also denied as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, but the issues of service connection for other conditions are still pending. The TDIU claim must be remanded until these service connection claims are resolved.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing difficulties are not related to his time in service and are more likely due to post-service occupation as a strip miner.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss as additional development is needed due to technical issues with the transcript of his April 2018 hearing, unclear notification regarding a July 2017 VA examination, and the Veteran's failure to report for that examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as an adjustment disorder with depression, is dismissed without prejudice.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability is denied. The evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 60 degrees or a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine of 120 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss since April 22, 2015 is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an audiological examination.