Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and possibly a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence showing he needs regular protection from daily environment hazards.

The Board has granted a 40% rating for bilateral hearing loss from June 6, 2016 and a 50% rating from December 4, 2017. The Veteran's hearing acuity was found to be at least 55 decibels in all four tested frequencies, resulting in the granted ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus was granted. The claim for tinnitus is also granted, with service connection established as at least as likely as not related to his active service. However, the claim for hearing loss remains pending due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is etiologically related to active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within one year post-service. Frostbite is also not considered a compensable disability.,Frostbite residuals are not recognized by VA for compensation purposes.

The appeal of service connection for hearing loss is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for leukemia, myeloma, diabetes mellitus, gall bladder condition, joint pain, gout, heart problems, hypertension, pressure hives, and skin cancer are remanded due to the Veteran's request to withdraw the issue of service connection for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is reopened, but the Veteran's tinnitus remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and high blood pressure have been reopened, but denied. The claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae was not reopened.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss or high blood pressure.

The Veteran's kidney cancer and lung cancer are granted as service connected, but the claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a TDIU based on coronary heart disease are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and remanded the case for readjudication of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to further examination and consideration of her assertions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of a VA audiological examination and incomplete history. The examiner should assess whether his current hearing loss disability is related to service, including noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found that continuity of symptomatology had not been established and that the Veteran did not have any long-standing symptoms of hearing loss during or immediately after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bronchial asthma, and COPD due to additional evidence that may be available from his employment with the U.S. Marshals Service.

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 his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review. The issues of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for headache disability, and neurological disability (to include Parkinson's disease) are being returned to the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, as well as his bilateral hearing loss disability, were not shown to have had their onset in service or within one year of discharge. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions due to a lack of evidence showing a direct link between the disabilities and service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right elbow disorder, right hip disorder, and right wrist disorder. The claim for joint pain is denied as there is no evidence of chronic undiagnosed symptoms or illnesses. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted based on a current diagnosis.