Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, stating that the effective dates should be the date he exited service (March 20, 2012), as his claims were filed more than one year after separation from service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his bilateral hearing loss was caused by service, specifically noting inconsistencies in his military records and the lack of a qualifying injury during any period of active or inactive duty. The Board concluded that the current disability is not related to his service.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and the Board finds service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability have been denied. The claim for low back disability is being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 19, 2018. A TDIU rating is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need further development due to missing personnel records from his National Guard service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear is remanded due to conflicting evidence. The issue of a compensable rating for hearing loss in the left ear is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the right ear issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Bell’s palsy, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD were upheld. A TDIU was granted. The claims for erectile dysfunction and skin cancer of the neck (to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure) were denied. Service connection for a low back disability was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, left hip and knee disabilities, right hip disability, left ankle disability, bilateral arm disability, right chest condition, right elbow condition, and right flank condition. The back and right knee disability ratings are also being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and speech impediment were all granted. However, the effective date of these awards is March 10, 2016, which is consistent with when the Veteran submitted his claim to VA.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as his tinnitus manifested during service and is related to noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer), and bilateral foot fungus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The claim for service connection for high cholesterol has been withdrawn. The rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertensive vascular disease is denied. The case for status post cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation is remanded, and the case for compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.