Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have started during service and the VA examiner concluded that it was related to noise exposure in service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral visual disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection was granted for thyroid cancer, necrotizing pancreatitis, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a recurrent lumbosacral spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right foot disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown during active service or at any time thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records regarding the Veteran's National Guard service. A new VA examination is required to assess whether exposure to acoustic trauma occurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to hazardous noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not rated as compensable, and his TDIU claim has been denied. The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and skin cancer to consider new evidence regarding their presumptive relationship with herbicide exposure.,Service connection for both hypertension and skin cancer have been remanded due to the Veteran's contention that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss after December 20, 2012 was denied. The Board also denied the Veteran's request for a 10 percent evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 based on multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities prior to August 31, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to April 28, 2015 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on grounds other than CUE. The claim related to allegations of CUE in the February 1980 rating decision is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but the other issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss with Meniere's syndrome, as well as his claims for Dependents' Educational Assistance and Special Monthly Compensation based on loss of use of hearing, have been granted effective from July 30, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from September 11, 2018 to March 1, 2019 was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and an initial compensable rating for hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.,The application to reopen the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and left knee disability is granted, with evidence showing a relationship between these disabilities and the Veteran's in-service back pain.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA audiological opinion to determine if the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.