Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to service, but additional evidence is needed for a final determination.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development.

The Veteran's service-connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as both conditions are found to be due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and high blood pressure, hypertension have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.,Claims for increased ratings for unspecified anxiety disorder, GERD with hiatal hernia, right knee strain with right leg exertional compartment syndrome, left knee strain with left leg exertional compartment syndrome, thoracic spondylosis with lumbar sprain, instability associated with right knee strain, and instability associated with left knee strain have all been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The claim for an acquired psychiatric condition was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a TDIU due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for depression has been reopened and granted.,Claims for bilateral hand condition, lower back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, major depressive disorder, dissociative disorder) have been remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability at the time of filing or during the pendency of his claim.

The Veteran's varicose veins, arthritis of the right knee, and septoplasty residuals with rhinitis are granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded a 10 percent rating for his septoplasty residuals with rhinitis from December 1, 1974 to June 5, 2002.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including shoulder conditions, PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disease from asbestos exposure, and low back joint and disc disease.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss is remanded due to the failure of a scheduled VA examination. The case will be returned for another VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as not related to his active duty or service-connected diabetes.,High cholesterol is denied as a laboratory finding and not a chronic disability for VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to July 1, 2016 for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for prostate cancer is granted. The issue of service connection for prostate cancer is reopened, but not decided on its merits due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claims for upper respiratory infection and pharyngitis are denied.,The Veteran's claim for cholecystitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for diverticulitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for basal cell carcinoma is denied.,The appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded.,The appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.,The appeal for service connection for prostate cancer is remanded.,The appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spinal stenosis with osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease has been granted, with a 60% disability rating effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 13, 2016, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for a left foot disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disabilities.