Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for right shoulder, low back, and right ear hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,A reopened claim for a low back disorder has been identified.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of right ear hearing loss, which may be secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions and missing military personnel records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically whether it is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, right elbow disorder, headaches, right and left knee disorders, a right ankle/leg disorder, low back disorder, and psychiatric disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's 40% rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is restored effective May 28, 2019. The evidence did not show actual improvement in the Veteran’s ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new evidence did not establish a link between his current hearing disability and active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection with a 0 percent evaluation effective August 8, 2017.,Service-connected status-post esophageal reflux disorder surgery, to include gastric dumping syndrome, was denied an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 3, 2019. The Veteran's symptoms have since worsened and warrant a 40 percent evaluation from January 4, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's right knee disability and left ankle strain are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 100% to 0%, effective December 1, 2013. The issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and the restoration of a 100% rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.,SMC based on housebound status was discontinued as the Veteran no longer met the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including medical articles challenging previous findings. The claims are reopened but further development is needed as a VA opinion is required.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left and right foot disabilities (claimed as frostbite residuals), cholelithiasis (gallstones), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have all been denied. The Board found no current disability in any of these conditions.,The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a service connection for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral tinnitus, low back disability, liver disability (claimed as hepatitis C), and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to service. Service connection was denied for a lower back disability due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to CUE in previous decisions regarding service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for a left toe injury. The appeal is now REMANDED for further action on issues of service connection.

The Veteran's left lower leg disability, diagnosed as mild peroneal neuropathy, is rated noncompensable since May 1, 2008. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted in a May 2019 rating decision and the issue is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.