Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination and additional audiogram records.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to June 13, 2017. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss from June 13, 2017, was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar stenosis with radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss. The conditions are deemed to have had their onset during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a relationship to service.,For his residual scar on the left lower extremity secondary to ischemic heart disease, the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7805.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) as he does not have a single 100% disability and is not permanently confined to his immediate premises due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to March 9, 2012, and ratings in excess of 10 percent from March 9, 2012, to April 2, 2018, and 20 percent since April 2, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a headache disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as tinea cruris, recurrent, of the bilateral groin and thighs and tinea corporis of the right leg, had onset in service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from his National Guard service. The claims will be reviewed with these additional records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 27, 2019 and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The evidence did not support his contentions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The claims for left knee disability and pulmonary disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to bilateral hearing loss, bilateral leg disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with depressive disorder) have been granted. The low back and left knee disabilities are secondary to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service, and the Board denied both claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, requiring a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inservice noise exposure. The claim for type 2 diabetes mellitus remains denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from October 12, 2015 to August 22, 2018.