Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted service connection, while his left ear hearing loss is denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure, but did not find a current disability for his left ear hearing loss.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for left shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability or etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee condition, but remanded the claim for tinnitus.,Service connection is not granted for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is conceded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, increased rating for left ear hearing loss, and head injury residuals (including unbalanced gait) due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's MOS as a rifleman may have exposed him to excessive noise during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination, and he needs a new evaluation to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has worsened since the last VA examination in July 2016, and a new VA examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining audiometric testing results from a June 19, 2015 VA audiology note and any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's skin disorder claim has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The hearing loss rating for the period prior to December 21, 2012, is denied. For the period on or after December 21, 2012, a higher rating than 60 percent is not warranted. The TDIU claim has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and his back disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and withdrawn issues related to superficial scars, cellulitis, painful scar, radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, muscle damage, rib cage, hypertension, and service connection. The appeal is REMANDED for further examinations and determinations regarding PTSD, cervical spine disorders, lumbar strain, TBI, and ear disorder.

The Veteran's vertigo was granted service connection, while a rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied as he does not require regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for left ear and right ear hearing loss disabilities, as well as the compensable rating for those disabilities. The application to reopen claims for residuals of cold weather injury, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability have been granted. Service connection is established for these conditions on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology due to a lack of adequate examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and hearing loss disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on the basis that they were aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection for multiple sclerosis should be restored, and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

All initial claims for increased ratings were dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal. The restoration of a 50% rating for major depressive disorder was granted effective December 1, 2015. Earlier effective dates of May 22, 2014 were granted for increased ratings for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.