Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which include musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The veteran's service is not during a period of war, so he does not meet the requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection was granted for both hearing loss and tinnitus, with the Board finding that these conditions began during active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no increase in severity of his pre-existing condition during service and thus not aggravating it. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic worsening.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is only 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo has been reopened and granted. The claims for right shoulder disability, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, back disability, left foot spur, migraines, and left ear hearing loss have all been remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not begin during service and is unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his left breast disability with knots/nodules/lipomas is also granted due to aggravation during service. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise on both issues.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities). Service connection was denied for lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The Board has also remanded the cases for further development, including scheduling the Veteran for a VA audiology evaluation.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia is reopened, but the condition is not found to be related to his military service.,Service connection for upper and lower back pain is denied as there is no evidence that the condition began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus/flat feet is denied because it preexisted his entry into active service and the presumption of soundness applies.,Service connection for ED secondary to sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence showing worsening of the condition due to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for bilateral tinea pedis (Athlete’s Foot) is denied because there is no evidence that it began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,Service connection for vertigo is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria to be considered secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims, so both issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on recurrent tinnitus was withdrawn. The Board granted the TDIU claim due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's case is being remanded to allow for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss, as his most recent evaluation was conducted in February 2015 and he has since reported additional functional effects.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was reopened and granted, but his claim for hearing loss remains pending.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted. Service connection for hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran also received a grant for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure. The appeal was decided on the merits of the claim.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right claw foot as there is no current disability. The claims are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee instability, patellofemoral syndrome, and tibia/fibula fracture residuals.