Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to insufficient examination reports and missing evidence.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding her vertigo and hearing loss, as new examinations are needed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disability, and respiratory disability (claimed as COPD) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is granted, and the other ear conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period prior to October 23, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim is dismissed from October 23, 2015 onwards as he has reached a combined schedular rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, post-L5-S1 fusion, is granted at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and missing audio test results.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to a need for an updated VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed because the VA Form 10182 submitted in February 2019 was not valid for initiating an appeal under the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims as it lacks jurisdiction due to improper filing of an appeal under the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA). The Veteran needs to file a proper Notice of Disagreement within one year from the notification of the January 2019 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits, finding that no earlier factually ascertainable date of entitlement existed before June 16, 2016.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during his active service and granted service connection for it. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, Degenerative Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine and Bilateral Radiculopathy, Residuals of TBI, and Tinnitus. The claims are granted to this extent. However, due to new evidence received since the last denial, the Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hearing Loss and Left Eye Injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee injury is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder condition is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for intestinal problems is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss due to insufficient information in a private treatment record regarding speech recognition scores.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee condition, hypertension, low back injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete treatment records. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and both conditions are now granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, but his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied.