Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus to service or continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the Board has remanded his claim of a back disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right forearm and hand neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records related to his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a visual acuity condition, and a skin condition. The claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. However, the Board found that there is no causal relationship between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding a medical opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered them unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since August 25, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted TDIU from January 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and duration of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as well as his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's skin disability claim is reopened, and his bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further review. The Veteran's PTSD and peripheral neuropathy claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, who is no longer alive.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection. Service connection for left and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities due to a lack of recent examinations. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations for his sleep apnea, psychiatric symptoms, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, GERD, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected diverticulitis and to obtain information regarding her periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, VA examinations are required to address the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, carpal tunnel syndromes, GERD, acute gastroenteritis, insomnia, and chronic neck pain. The Veteran's service connection claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hearing loss and service. The claim will be reviewed again with a new opinion from an audiologist who has not previously provided one.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and additional evidence is needed to determine if he requires aid and attendance or housebound status.