Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found the evidence does not support a higher rating for PTSD or an increased rating for other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate prior VA opinions, and a new medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for aggravated asthma and found that the Veteran's claims for reopening of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not supported by new and material evidence. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran is currently employed full-time.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted as service connected. The back, feet, and right hand conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records from November 1978 to February 1979.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating based on VA examination results and other evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for left ear disability, compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for bilateral hip disorder and back disorder have all been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability related to his active duty service. The evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease, and the disabilities found are not shown to be causally related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle sprain with crepitus, right ankle sprain with crepitus, and left foot bunion. Service connection was granted for right ear hearing loss but not for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear and DJD of bilateral shoulders, right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, right knee, and left knee are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for arthritis was dismissed. The petition to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis, a blood disorder, and diabetes mellitus were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were granted based on exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange). The Veteran's prostate disability claim was denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.

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 service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the earliest possible effective date is May 2, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various conditions was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The claims were not substantiated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and mentoplasty due to lack of evidence showing a current disability resulting from in-service noise exposure or surgery, respectively.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not established for left ear hearing loss or hypertension, and the Veteran did not receive a higher rating for his shin pain disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to military noise exposure and has been granted service connection. Service connection for Lyme disease, CFS, and myalgia of multiple joints is denied.