Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, low back disability, diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, and bilateral hearing loss, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran requires such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the condition began during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated noncompensable, effective November 17, 2009.,The Veteran's left knee disability did not meet the criteria for an extension of a temporary total rating after January 31, 2014. The RO has been directed to issue an SOC on this issue.,TDIU prior to August 18, 2012, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of January 26, 2001, and the Board granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to service and was incurred in the line of duty during his inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for mid back pain with osteoporosis and lower back pain with osteoporosis, bilateral hearing loss, cystocele surgery scar complications, periodic limb movement disorder of the right and left lower extremities, and sciatica. The Veteran's examinations were cancelled due to scheduling conflicts, and she has shown good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a higher disability rating, but the claim for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was withdrawn during his hearing. The appeals for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were dismissed.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for right ear hearing loss. The Board has remanded the remaining issues: left chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma, bipolar disorder, vertigo, TBI, and PTSD.

The claim to reopen the service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims of service connection for tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, eczema, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to or support a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, and the appeal for a higher rating is remanded.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and an increased rating to a higher level is requested. The Board has determined that the current rating of 70 percent is appropriate.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during active service.

Your initial claim for a higher rating for your bilateral hearing loss has been denied, and the Board is dismissing this case as there are no longer any issues to be decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteosclerosis was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,For Crohn’s disease, an increased rating greater than 30 percent was denied. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for severe ulcerative colitis with numerous attacks and malnutrition.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea were remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine the validity of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and allergic rhinitis. The decision on the issues of service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, low testosterone, and left ankle disability is remanded.