Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a non-service connected pension and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board dismissed all the issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right and left arm disabilities, back disability, foot disability, and nerve disability. The reasons given were lack of evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory condition are remanded due to the unavailability of service records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left cheek numbness, and a sinus condition. The Veteran's TBI-related headaches are also being remanded for further examination to determine their nature.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The AOJ will provide the Veteran with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus) have resulted in a TDIU due to the inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and folliculitis keloidalis nuchae were granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss and service connection for major depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and right ear tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.,For the knee disabilities, the Veteran has not met the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss existed prior to service and was not aggravated by active service.,The Veteran's skin rash of the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities is not related to active service or any incident of service, including as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral leg conditions, and right eye condition. The case is remanded for further development regarding these issues.

The Board has identified new evidence that is relevant to the issues on appeal and requires a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). Additionally, a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss. The issue of TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 10% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from October 31, 2015 through April 29, 2016 was granted. The effective date of this grant is set at July 7, 2011.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims. The issues include ratings for various conditions, effective dates for service connection awards, and the reduction of a rating.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is service-connected, and this condition contributed to his death from Alzheimer's dementia.