Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also considered the Veteran's TDIU claim, which was raised by a former employer statement. The Veteran is service connected for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, meeting the minimum schedular criteria for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, the Veteran has not been provided with proper duty-to-assist notice letter or development regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings and service connection for various hand, wrist, and ankle conditions has been remanded due to incomplete records of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he is granted SMC for aid and attendance from another person.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and colon cancer, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his time in service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to connect the Veteran's current colon cancer to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service, including noise exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have started during or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure, and the Board has found service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for stress disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for depressive disorder is also granted, with the disability considered secondary to his service-connected conditions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both rated at their maximum allowable levels. His knee disabilities and other conditions remain under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess his current functional impairment.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has worsened, and a new VA examination is required to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's right leg, right ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities are granted as service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss is also granted as service-connected. Tinnitus secondary to his bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. A 100% rating for COPD/Asthma from August 15, 2012 onward is granted. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence added to the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure. The Veteran will need a new medical opinion considering the November 1971 hearing evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected, with the conditions beginning during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of separated broken ribs has been denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Bilateral hearing loss was granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective March 4, 2014 (the date of the Veteran's TDIU claim).,Osteoarthritis/degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was also granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective March 4, 2014.,The Veteran's claims for Meniere's disease and vertigo/dizziness are remanded as further evaluation is needed.,The Veteran's claims for vertigo/dizziness and Meniere's disease are remanded as further evaluation is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.