Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or link to service. The Veteran had multiple ear issues during service but normal hearing at separation and no permanent positive threshold shifts.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanations regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relation to service. The examiner is requested to provide a detailed opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service or is otherwise related to his active service, including noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and incomplete factual premises. The Veteran needs a new VA audiological examination to address the probable etiology of his diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The Veteran needs to provide results from an audiological evaluation, and he also needs an updated examination to determine if he has left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of his ear pain, which may be a symptom of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. If found to be so, the claim will be referred for consideration of an extra-schedular rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied.,Service connection for colon cancer, bladder cancer, and lung cancer were all denied.,Service connection for left knee disorder and right knee disorder were both denied.,Service connection for a left ankle disorder was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The right ankle disability, excluding surgical periods, is denied an increased rating to more than 20 percent. The left lower extremity radiculitis (femoral) is granted a 20 percent initial rating. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hearing loss has been denied.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of an informal claim prior to August 8, 2011.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder with anxiety is denied as there is no evidence of an informal claim prior to August 8, 2011.

The appeals for service connection and increased ratings for hearing loss, left ankle sprain residuals, bilateral neurologic disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are dismissed. The case is remanded for additional examinations to determine the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. For the period from December 20, 2012 to June 16, 2017, a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD was granted but not for the entire appeal period as some issues were remanded. Service connection claims for hand tremors and vision disorder are pending.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in both ears, finding that the current hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's petition to reopen previously denied claims for left wrist condition, bilateral ankle tendinitis, and low back condition were granted. The petitions for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including gout, a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, heart problems, hemorrhoids, scars on the arms, and scars on the legs. The Veteran's service treatment records are not available, and efforts should be made to obtain them from appropriate agencies.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Specifically, VA needs to obtain updated service treatment records and conduct further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied for a compensable rating prior to March 10, 2018 and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence or need for additional development. The effective date of benefits is not addressed in this decision.

The Board granted service connection for low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, mesothelioma, an abnormal heart disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, hypertension, metabolic syndrome to include insulin resistant disorder and/or diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and depression secondary to medical condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined with his claim for service connection for an ear disability. Therefore, these issues have been remanded to allow for further development.