Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the Veteran's assertion that the April 2015 VA examination did not accurately reflect his current level of hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, cold weather injuries of bilateral hands and feet, and hepatitis C were denied. The claim for hearing loss was also denied.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for low back pain, cold weather injuries of bilateral hands and feet, and hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and as secondary to military sexual trauma. The VA will obtain additional medical records, schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if she has any current psychiatric disorders related to service, and another audiological examination to assess her hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were previously denied in an unappealed August 2008 rating decision. New evidence has been submitted that relates to the unestablished fact of a continuity of symptoms since service, allowing the reopening of these claims. However, the claims are still pending as they have not yet been decided on their merits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum from a VA medical examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically addressing his in-service noise exposure and post-service recreational hunting.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression due to potential unverified in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss. The VA needs to provide a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss existed prior to service and if it worsened during service.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated and found to be no higher than 36.25 decibels in the right ear and no higher than 30 dB in the left ear, resulting in a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bladder cancer associated with herbicide exposure and jet fuel.,Bladder cancer is being remanded as there was no indication of herbicide or jet fuel exposure in the record.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for PTSD and left ear hearing loss as they were previously decided by the Board in August 2017 and May 2018, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to presumed exposure to acoustic trauma during active service, but the Veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are denied as there is no evidence of a valid diagnosis related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the August 2013 rating decision. The Veteran's statements that his hearing loss and tinnitus began during service are considered in forming opinions by a VA audiologist.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, ear disability, glaucoma, respiratory disorder, hypertension, upper intestinal disorder (GERD), erectile dysfunction, left great toenail paronychia, gout, right foot disability, skin disability, LUE neuropathy with pain, RUE neuropathy with pain, LLE neuropathy with pain, and RLE neuropathy with pain due to outstanding evidence that may be relevant to the claims.