Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss was reopened and granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) is remanded.

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 acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically related to noise exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, throat condition (pharyngitis), sleep apnea, and left ankle disability due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, throat condition (pharyngitis), sleep apnea, and left ankle disability due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, eye disorder (presumably vision impairment), ear disorder (hearing loss and possibly other auditory issues), respiratory disorder, and digestive disorder. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for skin cancer due to sun exposure during active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not otherwise related to service. The Board found the April 2015 VA examination report of significantly greater probative value than the lay contentions of record, concluding that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and associated complications such as diabetic nephropathy, anxiety disorder, right Charcot foot, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, skin ulcer, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, rendered him unable to secure or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty due to noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues were withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg amputation and bilateral hearing loss disability are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The right second toe amputation, removal of infestation area left lower extremity, and rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney cancer, sleep apnea, hypertension, and adrenal gland condition. The appeals were based on direct evidence and not on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, indicating significant occupational and social impairment.,For bilateral hearing loss, the rating remains at 50 percent since January 31, 2014.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder is remanded due to new evidence received since the last VA examination, and a new examination may be needed if there has been any worsening in symptoms. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), and TDIU due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The case will be referred back to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of extraschedular evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have been rated appropriately. However, the Board has remanded several issues for further development: service connection for back disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, right foot orthopedic disability, and left foot orthopedic disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relationship to service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, including VA treatment records since June 2014, and undergo a VA examination.