Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was caused or aggravated by his military service, specifically his active duty and Marine Corps Reserve service. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a need to reconcile two VA claim files, one of which may contain relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological evaluation from September 2015 was not obtained, and the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is established. The Board also found that the December 2017 VA examiner’s opinion regarding whether the hearing loss began during service or was caused by an in-service injury is inadequate. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not warrant a compensable rating prior to March 19, 2015; a rating in excess of 10 percent from March 19, 2015 through October 25, 2016; and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical examination in May 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and gustatory rhinorrhea/dysgeusia, as well as entitlement to separate disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his disabilities did not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations and provide etiology opinions regarding his back, bilateral knee, hand, hearing loss, and tinnitus conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he withdrew his claims for tuberculosis, hypertension, and an increased rating for tinnitus. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which he can seek service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability and TMJ was reopened, with the new evidence showing diagnoses of low back pain and TMJ. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not due to her service-connected vertigo.,The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine has been granted a 30% disability rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee DJD, initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and facial scar disability, and chest scar disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a collapsed lung is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to May 29, 2014 resulted in significant occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective May 29, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for right hand numbness and right back pain, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his circular skin scar left posterior lateral mid trunk (previously diagnosed as s/p stab wound to left posterior axillary line) are remanded.,The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder weakness.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted, and his initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the case, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation higher than 10 percent for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and a TDIU due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded because of outstanding VA treatment records and the need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral flat feet, unspecified anxiety disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (psychiatric disability), migraine headaches, and kidney disability have been granted. The claim for acne was denied. Effective November 17, 2015, the Veteran is now receiving a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's hearing loss, which was noted at the time of entry into service, has been aggravated by noise exposure during service. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is linked to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.