Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise as to whether there is a nexus between the current disabilities and the Veteran’s service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ear disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral pes planus, nonservice-connected disability pension, and TDIU were denied. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his meniscal disability was granted with specific time periods.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the effective date of a 10% rating was also denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support earlier effective dates.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service connection claims, including PTSD, chronic pain disorder, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, residuals of traumatic brain injury (also claimed as head injury), neuropathy of right upper extremity, and sciatica of left lower extremity.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as he failed to report for a VA examination. The claims will be rescheduled for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for chronic bronchitis and gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease).,The Veteran’s muscle pain, ear infections, fatigue, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease), skin rashes, headaches, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further development.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for chronic bronchitis and gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease).,The Veteran's muscle pain, ear infections, fatigue, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal bleed (previously claimed as inflammatory bowel disease), skin rashes, headaches, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral elbow disability, fractured ribs, residuals of an eye injury, right ear hearing loss, Gulf War Syndrome, and left knee disability. The decision also remanded several issues.

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

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and dental condition have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inaccurate factual premise regarding the Veteran's hearing sensitivity at the time of his separation from service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again for potential connection to service.

The Board has not determined whether the Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. The claim for sleep apnea was reopened, but new evidence did not establish a link to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no significant shift in hearing thresholds over the course of service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 26, 2013 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for reopening of his diabetes mellitus, type II, has been granted. The Board is remanding the issue to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents during service.,The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and lung cancer are being remanded due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also being remanded, as it may be related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is a causal relationship between his in-service noise exposure and his current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of current hearing loss disabilities in either ear.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbar disc disease and thoracic spondylosis, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no link between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for TDIU prior to March 13, 2017 was granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The issues of service connection for loss of teeth, sleep apnea, low back injury, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy (all secondary to a low back injury) are also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound, finding that he did not require regular aid and attendance nor was he factually housebound due to service-connected disability.