Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service exposure. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for skin cancer and sinus disorder as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, but an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the service connection claims for left ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran does not have any current disabilities related to his claimed sleep disorder, vertigo, vision impairment, respiratory disability, colon disability, or bilateral hearing loss that are attributable to active service.,His current tinnitus is not related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on hearing loss is based on the absence of in-service noise exposure, while the tinnitus claim was granted as the Veteran reported experiencing ringing in his ears during service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) claim is denied as he has the residual capacity to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with a worst manifestation of Level II hearing in both ears. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spondylosis with displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc. The appeal is being remanded due to a failure to obtain all available VA treatment records related to the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 40 percent from August 29, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's right inguinal herniorrhaphy residuals have been granted service connection, and he is now rated with a 10 percent disability rating for this condition.,Service connection has also been established for bilateral upper and lower extremity numbness. The Veteran will continue to receive the benefits associated with these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The claims for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition) due to radiation exposure are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of each claim.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of either condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient audiometric data, and requests that another VA examination be conducted to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is linked to in-service noise exposure.