Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for low back disability, and service connection for bilateral knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) as there was no evidence of current disabilities or that they were incurred in service.,There is no medical evidence showing the Veteran had any current conditions related to his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, entitlement to TDIU, initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for prostate cancer residuals are all remanded due to the need for further development or clarification.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder due to inadequate examination reports and lack of an opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, PTSD with alcohol dependence, and left ear hearing loss was granted. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is remanded. The appeals for effective dates for service connection are denied.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability, right ankle disability on de novo basis, and PTSD with alcohol dependence at higher ratings are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, TBI, migraine headaches, and PTSD were all denied or had their effective dates denied.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits due to his incarceration for a felony conviction was proper, as he received benefits at a rate in excess of 10 percent during this period.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, a lower extremity disorder (claimed as knee or leg condition), an acquired psychiatric condition (to include anxiety due to trauma and unspecified depressive disorder), and vision loss, have all been denied. The Board found that the preexisting conditions did not increase in severity during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are caused by exposure to loud noise during his military service. The claim of an initial compensable rating for a left femur disability is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were not related to his service. The Veteran was denied a TDIU as he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU consideration.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that these conditions are related to his military service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The cases of bronchial asthma and neurological disability (including tremors) are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his left ankle injury. The bilateral hearing loss rating remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied these claims. The issues of entitlement to service connection for other conditions remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a heart condition, lumbar spine condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened. The cases are now remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are currently rated at the maximum disability ratings. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability prior to October 5, 2016 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability from October 5, 2016 to December 3, 2018 and thereafter was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory conditions was remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.,

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right scaphoid nonunion with mild degenerative changes.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for skin disability are denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for shin splints and bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for neck disorder and psoriasis.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for psoriasis is remanded as it requires an opinion on its etiology.