Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is more likely than not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0% disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 90 percent prior to January 25, 2016 for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran also had his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 25, 2016 denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability has been reopened and granted, while the claims for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus have also been granted.,Service connection was denied for Parkinson’s Disease with balance impairment. The Veteran is now receiving a 10% rating for this condition.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to obtain relevant records. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine, knee, stress fractures, hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorders, and migraines.

The Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as PTSD and major depressive disorder) have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder), finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected conditions, specifically migraines, hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left side tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hemorrhoids associated with IBS.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records, requiring a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left ear disability due to potential relevance of Social Security Administration records and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the March 2015 VA examination. The Veteran's duties as an infantryman are also to be considered.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability due to its worsening since his last VA examination in April 2015.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service. The lung scars claim is remanded as there are insufficient records and opinions regarding the etiology of the lung scars.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were found to be incurred in service, with the right ear hearing loss disability aggravated by service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining claims, including service connection for various conditions, are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as his right ear hearing loss is no greater than level VI and the left ear hearing loss is no greater than level II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss on an extra-schedular basis and for TDIU. The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities caused marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization, nor did it suggest any additional symptomatology beyond what was contemplated by the applicable diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss that meets VA criteria.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral flat feet remains in appellate status and requires further development due to the need for a supplemental examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain (low back condition) is remanded as the VA examiner did not adequately address potential contributory factors from a motor vehicle accident during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety and depression remains in appellate status and requires further development due to the need for a supplemental examination.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.