Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for CRDP in an amount greater than $1,461.00 for the period from March 1, 2012 through July 31, 2013 is denied as there is no legal basis to award such.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, IRS tax returns, and a medical opinion regarding his erectile dysfunction. The issues of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss (which was dismissed), and erectile dysfunction are also being addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there was no intent to apply for benefits prior to March 30, 2016.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but the issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and needs further examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss clearly and unmistakably preexisted his active service, and whether it is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and hearing loss prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete VA examinations and conflicting opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and issue a Statement of the Case on the effective date claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service connected.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is denied, with a rating of 60% from May 30, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent prior to January 6, 2016 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim remains pending as he has not submitted the required forms.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to inadequate opinion and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his PTSD claim, were granted. The initial rating for PTSD was denied, but the Veteran received a higher rating of 50 percent effective March 23, 2011. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent since July 10, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. Right ear hearing loss, prostate cancer, and type II diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with a finding that the established schedular criteria adequately describe his symptoms of difficulty hearing and understanding speech.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA examination due to concerns about the adequacy of the previous examination and the need to consider the Veteran's symptoms related to eardrum surgery.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and are related to his military duties.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of audiological examination.