Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a left hip/thigh disorder. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are related to an in-service event of acoustic trauma during combat training.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he already has a 100% schedular rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and additional disabilities rated at 60% or more, which entitles him to special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for limitation of motion for right wrist has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and that any potential hearing loss did not have onset in or is otherwise related to his period of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding his in-service noise exposure and current status of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck/cervical spine disorder, lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, persistent depressive disorder, and restless leg syndrome have all been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), and sleep apnea due to conflicting medical findings and lack of examinations. The effective date claim is denied as no earlier effective date can be granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining complete VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss will be evaluated again, as his condition may have worsened since the last examination. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is also remanded to determine if it is related to exposure at Camp Lejeune during active duty. Additionally, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus will be considered.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 2, 2017 was denied. The appeal remains pending.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for residuals of left clavicle fracture.,Service connection for left shoulder disability (rotator cuff tear and strain) is granted based on a positive medical nexus opinion linking it to service.,The Veteran's claims for right knee disorder and left knee disorder are remanded due to new and material evidence submitted.,Service connection for bilateral knee DJD is granted based on X-ray findings of arthritis in both knees.,The Veteran's claim for respiratory disability, including herbicide exposure, remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher disability rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left Achilles tendon injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are all related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury and lower back injury have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral hearing loss with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection has also been granted for tinnitus, again with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The effective date is not specified.