Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, shell fragment wound to left muscle group III, hearing loss, and TBI, rendered him unemployable as of May 26, 2011. His effective date for a total disability based upon individual unemployability is set at this date.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a causal link to active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 80 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while his SNHL is not considered to have been incurred during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and thoracolumbar or cervical spine disability are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and essential tremors have been denied.,The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of no greater than 50 percent, subject to the laws and regulations governing monetary benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prolonged breathing problems, a heart condition, erectile dysfunction, foot fungus, and hearing loss of the left ear. The appeals are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of ruptured right ear drum, bilateral hearing loss (BHL), and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The skin disorder claim is also remanded as it involves herbicide exposure.,A VA examination will be conducted to determine if any current BHL, tinnitus, or residuals of ruptured right ear drum are related to service, including noise exposure during combat. A separate examination will assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin disorder.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for pes cavus, tinnitus, increased ratings for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, and issues related to bilateral hearing loss disability, peripheral neuropathy, gout with leg cramps and swollen joints. The appeal regarding service connection for degenerative disc disease (claimed as a back condition) is remanded.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and dermatophytosis of the feet have been granted service connection. However, his lumbar spine disorder, left lower extremity sciatica, and right arm/shoulder disorder remain unresolved.,Service connection for these conditions is remanded due to pending issues.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and a need for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits information.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support a causal link between current hearing loss and service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, nasal fracture residuals, and right genitofemoral nerve excision. The appellant's case will be remanded to allow for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin rash, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's right and left ear hearing loss disabilities are granted as service connected. The skin cancer claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as the evidence did not show a chronic disability in service or continuity of symptomatology since service separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and allergic rhinitis, as well as a rating for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for release of information regarding any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 30 percent from June 14, 2018. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent.,The claims for bronchitis, swelling of bilateral hands and left leg, headaches, essential tremor (claimed as nervous system impairment), and anxiety disorder are all remanded.