Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence on file.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was restored from 30% to 40%, effective February 1, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on a direct basis, as the Veteran's symptoms are presumed to have been incurred in service due to continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the current etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his right-hand condition and neck condition. The issues are being remanded for these examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his puretone thresholds did not meet the criteria for an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment and he is not entitled to a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable (0%) since November 25, 2011.,The Veteran's scar due to head injury is currently rated as noncompensable (0%).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The claim for an increased rating for mechanical cervical pain syndrome is denied, but the claim for GERD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, heart condition, PTSD, and TDIU due to a failure to ensure that all outstanding VA treatment records are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), right ear hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea have been reopened. The appeals are granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for right foot injury, right finger deformity, right wrist injury, depression with alcohol abuse, and a back condition are remanded.,An addendum opinion is needed regarding the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip condition, testis atrophy complete, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least an equipoise of evidence in favor of these conditions being related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for cognitive disorder, a right thumb scar, and service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder are pending. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for further development and examination. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also pending as there are outstanding questions regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's current hearing loss is not shown for VA purposes, and further development is needed.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and other disabilities, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The decision is denied as his unemployability is primarily due to a non-service connected stroke.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there was no in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology, and the current disability is not related to service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is denied as it did not have its onset during service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a skin condition due to in-service acne treatment, and hypertension due to duty service. The VA is instructed to obtain private medical records related to these conditions.