Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during active service and is related to noise exposure while serving on a Navy ship. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established due to in-service noise exposure, with the benefit of doubt resolving in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tropical fungus, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his service in the Army National Guard, including his initial period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). As a result, the appeal is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate examination report and lack of consideration of in-service noise exposure.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if hearing loss disability was incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds it at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus in service and has had recurrent symptoms since separation. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service. The claim is not reopened.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been reopened as new and material evidence suggests a possible link between the condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since the last VA examination in 2015, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, requiring additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that in-service combat noise exposure contributed to the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for a medical examination and additional records.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is not rated higher than the current 10 percent due to lack of limitation of motion or instability.,Service connection for a lower back condition was denied as there is no evidence that it began during service and is not aggravated by a service-connected disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability in either case.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it began during active service or was manifested within one year of service to a compensable degree, and is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's hearing loss is granted as incurred in service due to noise exposure.