Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service records show he was hospitalized for a fever of undetermined origin in 1969. He also had complaints of hearing loss, eye issues, hypertension, and neurological symptoms such as ataxia and neuropathy during his service and after discharge. The Board has ordered additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's DIC claim was denied as he did not have a service-connected disability. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bladder cancer, and bone cancer were all denied due to lack of evidence supporting the presence or causation of these conditions during his lifetime.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent rating for lumbar spondylosis is dismissed. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and right knee disability, but granted service connection for low back disability. The claims of entitlement to recognition of A.F. as a helpless child based on permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 are also remanded.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lung disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, as well as service connection for heart disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease have been granted. The claim of increased rating for granulomatous lung disease is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted, including right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (PTSD, panic disorder, depressive disorder), lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, headache disorder, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye pterygium have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show that it was incurred in or aggravated by active service, including due to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection claims for chronic diarrhea, a respiratory condition, hearing loss, bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral ankle pain, bilateral knee pain, and lower back pain are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; asbestosis; asthma; bilateral hearing loss; left shoulder disability; right shoulder disability; low back disability; left hip disability; and right hip disability are all denied. The claim for service connection of the right knee disability is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in both ears due to a lack of current disability and failure to establish continuity of symptomatology, as well as the absence of evidence linking the condition to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a compensable initial disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a right knee disability require additional development, including obtaining updated medical evidence and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence linking his current hearing loss to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's achilles tendon disability and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for these claims.

The Veteran's ADHD is granted as secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder. The hearing loss claim is denied, and the foot and skin disorders are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 60 percent disability rating. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded due to insufficient information.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's hepatitis B is remanded for further development due to conflicting medical opinions.,Service connection for hepatitis B will be considered based on the Veteran's in-service exposure, but additional evidence is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The Board also found that the current hearing loss did not begin during service and is not related to noise exposure from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 1, 2014. The Board has granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to an incomplete record and need for further development.