Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was reopened and granted. The right ear hearing loss disability is also granted, while the left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are denied.,Service connection for major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to language issues during VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, with the disability rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 30 percent effective from May 18, 2015 and at a 50 percent rating effective July 6, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to unclear findings from his most recent audiological examination. A VA medical examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's current diagnosis and determine if it was incurred during active military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service.,The Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded as there is insufficient competent evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of findings on the credibility of lay statements and reliance on an outdated VA examination. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need to be re-evaluated with proper conversion of audiometry results.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and a service-connected right knee condition due to new evidence not having been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for sinus disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The AOJ must obtain additional medical records, request clarifying opinions from a VA examiner, and conduct any other necessary development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a need for additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has found that service connection is warranted for tinnitus, but the case of bilateral hearing loss must be remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied an earlier effective date for tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while his tinnitus claim was not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,From May 16, 2012, to February 27, 2018, the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s depressive neurosis symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the final June 2016 rating decision.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions had onset in, or are otherwise related to, his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, particularly regarding his acquired psychiatric condition. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ear hearing loss and temporary total rating due to surgery, as there are outstanding records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection and increased rating for bilateral pes planus, as well as his application to reopen claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding insufficient evidence to establish a current disability or a link between service and these conditions.