Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right foot disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joint of the right foot with plantar fasciitis, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as his disability already meets the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for unspecified adjustment disorder and dysthymia with alcohol abuse disorder is granted, but only to the extent that it does not exceed the current 50 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of a disability sufficient for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of aggravation during service and that the preexisting condition did not worsen.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the March 2003 rating decisions. However, these claims are still remanded as additional development is needed to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disability that meets VA criteria for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding treatment records and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure resulting in current hearing impairment.,The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by hallux valgus and bone spur, has been rated at 30 percent since February 25, 2010. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the condition does not meet criteria for loss of use of the foot.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The evidence submitted was considered cumulative or redundant of previous records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for foreign body in left eye has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus, but the hearing loss claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders. The appeals are currently pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and heart disability. The reasons included that the pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service, there was no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability or heart disability, and the Veteran's assertions were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of COPD, emphysema, and asbestosis. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence, specifically the Veteran's testimony regarding his symptoms and treatment post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and hypertension due to inadequate evidence regarding these conditions. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, including VA treatment records and private treatment records if available.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss disability and asbestosis for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran's appeals on the issues of right hand arthritis, right index finger disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in March 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss in the right ear and a skin condition are remanded. The claim for tinnitus is granted, while the claim for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus.