Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's eye disorders, including traumatic iritis, and bilateral hearing loss are denied service connection. Service connection for prostate cancer is also denied due to lack of herbicide exposure in Thailand. Diabetes mellitus and low back disability were not addressed as issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the audiometric test results, which resulted in a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 1, 2015 for adding his spouse as a dependent due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypertension, a low back condition, and headaches should be remanded due to potential missing VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot residuals of cold injury, left foot residuals of cold injury, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have started during his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss and TBI. The case is remanded to obtain additional examination opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's account of noise exposure during service is credible and persuasive enough to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The case is remanded to consider the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The Board remanded the issue of service connection for a pulmonary disorder due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clarity on the diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of increased rating for PTSD and service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings, a compensable hearing loss rating, and service connection for tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for further evidence or clarification.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the following conditions: bilateral foot disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral eye disability. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer due to new evidence not previously considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to increased initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether special monthly compensation (SMC) and the bilateral factor are applicable. The Veteran's claims remain pending.