Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level II acuity in the right ear and Level IV in the left ear. The Board finds that the disability levels and symptomatology are reasonably described by the rating schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete service records. The Veteran is asked to provide any additional information or evidence related to his service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and his headaches are found to be related to active duty. Bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue disorder remain denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in November 2016. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of this disability.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating for hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The Board also remanded his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression.

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The appeal is granted solely to that extent, meaning the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left sensorineural hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. The Veteran's right sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent.,The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee (claimed as left knee aggravation) is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on remanded issues are currently pending and will be reconsidered by the RO. The remaining denied conditions include acquired absence of teeth, fatty liver, left great toe bunion with osteoarthritis and gout, right great toe bunion with osteoarthritis and gout, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), pain in all joints and muscles, bilateral hearing loss, right Achilles tendonitis with calcaneal spurs, bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), hernias, left knee osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for right lateral epicondylitis, bilateral hearing loss, status post lipoma resection, upper thoracic spine scar, headaches (claimed as secondary to service-connected status post lipoma resection), sleep apnea, bilateral plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spur, and a cervical strain are being remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis and allergies), and asthma. The remaining issues of service connection for various knee disabilities, hip disabilities, a left knee scar, arthritis with painful joints, gout, bladder cancer, prostate disability, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are REMANDED.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and new VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is caused by in-service noise exposure. The issues of left shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, left knee, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims to reopen service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, diabetes mellitus, lipomas, and a balance disorder are granted.

The Veteran's initial claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, insomnia, PTSD, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were denied. The decision also remanded several issues including the increased rating for PTSD prior to June 23, 2015 and thereafter; the compensable disability rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; and the TDIU claim.,The Veteran was not granted any initial ratings or effective dates for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation prior to December 11, 2017, and no greater than 60 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a sinus condition, and a throat disability due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma, hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left arm numbness, and headaches do not meet the criteria for service connection. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.