Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service acoustic trauma. The appeal was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, an initial compensable rating for bilateral ear hearing loss, and an initial compensable rating for residuals of prostate cancer.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for high blood pressure is denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for cluster headaches is granted.,An effective date prior to September 27, 2012 for the award of service connection for depressive disorder is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left ear hearing loss prior to May 10, 2013, and for bilateral hearing loss thereafter are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for skin cancer, which is presumed due to herbicide exposure. The case must be returned for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and hypertension have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and denied. The claim of service connection for low back disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for a testicle condition and tinea versicolor are denied, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea versicolor. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD and tinea versicolor are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely caused by his military noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no probative medical evidence indicating the condition was incurred in service or within a presumptive period after discharge. The Veteran's combat noise exposure during service is not considered to be the cause of his current hearing loss.

The claims of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and sleep apnea have been reopened. However, the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as he withdrew his appeal. His claim for service connection for hypertension is the subject of a separate appeal.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The case is remanded for further evaluation of hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are granted service connection. The increased rating claims for PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spondylosis, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. The claim for Gilbert's disease has not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, left knee disability, and headaches due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed as the Veteran did not file a substantive appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper, right upper, left lower, and right lower peripheral neuropathy, as well as TDIU, have also been dismissed because he withdrew his appeals.