Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted. Service connection for the stomach and duodenal disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 14, 2015, finding that this was the later of the date of claim and the date entitlement arose. The Veteran previously satisfied the schedular requirements for a TDIU as of August 5, 2011.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,An initial 30 percent evaluation for chronic sinusitis is granted. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and headaches are remanded due to lack of recent examination.,The Veteran’s skin disorder (squamous cell carcinoma) is presumed due to herbicide exposure, but the relationship with his claimed lichen planus-like keratosis remains unclear. Cervical spine disorder secondary to lumbar spine disability is also remanded for further evaluation.,Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent from May 7, 2012, for lumbosacral Strain (claimed as low back strain) is remanded.,Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded.

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 had their onset during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia. The Veteran is also awarded a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral eye disability, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the October 2016 VA examination.,The Board deems the Veteran’s request for a Travel Board hearing withdrawn.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss that may be present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and asbestosis (lung condition related to exposure to asbestos) have been granted. The claim for service connection for hearing loss is based on direct evidence of a relationship between the conditions and service. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is also based on direct evidence. The claim for service connection for asbestosis is denied due to lack of asbestos exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), and low back disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his right ear hearing loss and to obtain outstanding VA medical records. His claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and granted it. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The decision on the claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The cases of skin disorder, feet nerve damage, and personality disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that audiometric testing did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic symptoms of these conditions during or immediately after service, and there was no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examination.