Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, TBI, a head scar, and a bilateral eye disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reopened for the bilateral eye disability claim.

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

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, it denied these claims as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service occurrence that would support service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for reentrance into the VA vocational rehabilitation and employment program, finding that his service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that he is precluded from performing work duties or that the occupation previously found rehabilitated is unsuitable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to loud noise during service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as PTSD, have been reopened. The claim for right knee osteoarthritis is denied, while the left knee osteoarthritis and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his current hearing test results.

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and a lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received after the final denial of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for vertigo and/or Meniere’s syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right wrist disability and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically the acoustic trauma he experienced during his active duty service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and a respiratory condition due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has remanded for further action on his hearing loss claim due to incomplete information.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, headaches, left eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered a disability for VA purposes and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that he is entitled to this benefit based on in-service noise exposure. The decision also finds that there is sufficient evidence, resolving any reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, to establish a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of May 1, 2014 for a separate 30 percent disability rating for dizziness and staggering secondary to Meniere’s disease.,An initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to June 28, 2016 was denied.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, diagnosed as COPD, is granted service connection. The cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine conditions, hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further examination and opinion.