Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic urinary tract infections, enlarged prostate, and bilateral hearing loss. The issues are related to herbicide exposure during service in Korea.

The Board has decided that a remand is required to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, as the current VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their negative opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus due to inadequate examinations and lack of sufficient detail in the medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current hearing loss is related to military noise exposure.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 23, 2014, for a temporary 100% increase in rating for right knee status post meniscectomy has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he was hospitalized before this date.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, low back pain, and lumbar radiculopathy. The evidence supports a link between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current right ear hearing loss, as well as a link between his in-service lifting duties and his current low back pain and associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise regarding whether her current conditions were related to her in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for joint pain, headaches, skin condition, and sleep disability due to lack of a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's other conditions are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to March 28, 2017 and now receives a 10 percent rating from that date forward.,The Veteran’s hypertension is not service-connected. The VA examiner opined it is less likely than not caused by or related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and bullous emphysema, due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to active service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Bipolar Disorder) as there is no credible evidence that it began during or was related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection issues were decided.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's hearing loss is being reviewed again, including his National Guard service.

The Veteran's request to reopen previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, allowing the reopening of his service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss. Additionally, the Board has found that a VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran’s current heart disabilities and skin disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely to have begun during his active duty service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has restored a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective October 1, 2014. The case of service connection for fibromyalgia 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 military service.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's bladder condition secondary to prostate cancer is also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection, while his PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during active service. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is related to service or proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. The issues of acid reflux, alopecia, diverticulitis, migraines, athlete’s foot of the right foot, athlete’s foot of the left foot, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, hemorrhoids, right foot heel spur, left foot heel spur, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded for further examination and consideration.