Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including service connection for sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, hearing loss, psoriatic arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), psoriasis and eczema, hepatitis C, colitis, celiac disease, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 1, 2000. The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C is the primary issue in these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for a left leg disability, compensable rating for residuals of a left knee disability, and increased evaluation for PTSD are remanded for additional development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined, so both issues have been remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, migraines, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder (anxiety), finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incidents, injuries, or illnesses related to these conditions.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of recent VA examinations and outstanding medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for back, eye, and bilateral hearing loss conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the hearing loss being considered a direct result of noise exposure during service. The tinnitus is presumed to have developed due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted a 60% rating effective July 27, 2016.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes in either ear, and therefore denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, calcified nodules in the left lung, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension. The reasons given were lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to a lack of recent audiological assessments, which are necessary to determine if there has been any worsening or additional symptoms related to the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for initial evaluations and effective dates related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatocellular carcinoma, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. The Veteran's claims were not granted as the preponderance of evidence did not support a causal relationship between his conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to address flare-ups of his right hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions are insufficient to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his right shoulder disability. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his application for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence.