Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service due to noise exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip condition, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability is granted. The appeal is remanded for further development.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability documentation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and fibrocystic breast disease were denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to September 11, 2015, and 10 percent thereafter. Her fibrocystic breast disease was currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip injury was denied in September 1948, and the Board finds that this decision is not clearly erroneous.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, GERD, bilateral lower extremity varicose veins, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 5, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his noise exposure during service caused his current hearing impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology, specifically related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to be related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the applicable presumptive periods. The Veteran's chronic ingrown toenail issue remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that both conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the appellant's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for death pension benefits, and thus, her claim is denied. The cause of death appeal is remanded due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the Board has not established any effective dates due to lack of prior formal or informal claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no prior informal or formal claim, or written intent to file a claim, for this condition prior to August 1, 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to his military service, as there was no evidence of symptoms within one year of separation from service. The Board determined that the weight of the competent evidence did not attribute the disabilities to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, GERD, memory loss (claimed as dementia), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, hair loss, hypertension, bladder disability, and gout are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disability. The Board has remanded for further action on issues including service connection and rating for other conditions.

The reduction in rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable was proper, as evidenced by improvement in the Veteran's hearing over time.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or a psychiatric disability, including schizotypal personality disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and for an examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is considered to have been incurred in service, and his right ear hearing loss had its onset during active duty. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.,There is no current evidence of a gastrointestinal disability or irritable bowel syndrome that can be linked to service.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, as the Veteran does not have these conditions. The claims for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and prostate cancer are remanded due to insufficient evidence.