Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded the issue for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that it is etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and spondylosis have been granted. The right ankle disability claim is remanded due to inadequate medical examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,The Veteran's tinnitus disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The examiner found that it has some impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was readjudicated and found to have new and relevant evidence warranting a decision on its merits. The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA audiology examination to address service connection for left ear hearing loss as secondary to right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding reasonable doubt in favor of a link to his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is not rated higher than noncompensable. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU and DEA benefits due to lack of permanent total service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for circulatory disorders of the lower extremities but has remanded the issue of right ear hearing loss due to a lack of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, the effective dates remain August 13, 2012 as the CUE claim is pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right elbow condition was dismissed. His bilateral hearing loss is now rated at 10 percent, effective June 10, 2019.,Service connection has been granted for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, left shoulder, and neck conditions due to VA treatment records. The decision on bilateral hearing loss and exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected due to exposure to in-service acoustic trauma. The rating for shrapnel scars of the right shoulder, right hand, and abdomen, and status post lung resection scars of the left chest remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and SUD). The peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and a need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service, but further examination is needed for his right ear hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision. The right wrist and elbow neurological disabilities, and COPD are remanded for further evaluation.