Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeal for asbestosis due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The claims for diabetes, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbar spine DDD are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound rate due to lack of evidence showing substantial confinement.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete development and lack of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The SSOC is needed for all denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for Actinic Keratosis of Face and Arms, left knee strain with Osteoarthritis, and right knee strain with Osteoarthritis have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Appellant is requested to undergo further examinations to provide a clear opinion on whether his conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination for hearing loss and needs another addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied the reopening of his claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation. The decision on the merits for the hearing loss claim is pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing onset or continuity of symptoms during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher levels of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities or need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or continuity of symptoms since service. The right knee disability is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion on causation was not provided, and TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to hazardous noise exposure in service.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus as they are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is granted service connection. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service. Erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 100% since September 16, 2010. The appeals for initial compensable evaluation of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn them. The appeal for TDIU is also dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board has denied the reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not received to support these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for diverticulitis due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.