Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's daughter, who was 23 years old at the time of her father's death, does not qualify as a qualifying 'child' for VA benefits due to age restrictions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to unclear medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 21, 2016 and a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the March 2014 private audiogram.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues of service connection for PTSD and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further examination and consideration of the lay evidence.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for his service-connected right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his period of active service.

The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis have been granted service connection. The initial ratings for PTSD, post-concussive migraines, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spondylosis are remanded.,A new examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions and his lumbar spondylosis. The Veteran may also need a VR&E evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and a higher rating for PTSD were denied. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

Service connection granted for Parkinson's Disease due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,Secondary service connection granted for Lewy body dementia related to the Veteran's Parkinson's disease.,Service connection granted for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, linked to combat experiences in Vietnam.,An initial evaluation of 70 percent disability assigned for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher level aid and attendance, as he does not have loss of use of both arms or legs, blindness in both eyes, or deafness. Therefore, his claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for higher level aid and attendance is denied.

The claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury is dismissed. Bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are granted, with the rating for shell fragment wounds, thorax being denied. The Veteran's burn scars of the left hand and arm have been rated at 10% since December 30, 2004.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of various extremities and psychiatric conditions. The claims for increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. The appeal for an increased rating for a service-connected heart disability is dismissed. The Board remanded the issue of service connection for cataracts and asteroid hyatosis.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran's ACDUTRA service from July 1966 to December 1966 constitutes active military, naval or air service for pension purposes and whether his grant of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus was based on disability due to disease or injury during this period.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.