Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the audiometric evidence does not show a current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety) due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses that meet VA regulations, and because there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, but granted it for right ear hearing loss due to combat noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure. His hypertension and hearing loss are considered secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The tinnitus is also considered secondary to the service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed because he withdrew the appeal in August 2019.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated based on their current severity. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and an examination to assess the current severity of these conditions, with particular attention to any symptoms of dizziness or lack of balance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left ear hearing loss, degenerative arthritis in the arms, elbows, legs, sleep apnea, colon disorder, corns on the feet, fibromyalgia, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran was not diagnosed with any of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for service connection of a right thumb disorder and has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was not provided with an adequate examination that addressed his in-service diving mishap and noise exposure claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to her active duty service, and grants her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lower right arm scar, and back pain with stiffness are not granted. The cases have been remanded to allow for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, and denied service connection for keloid scars of the right arm, left ear, and chest. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has determined that new evidence submitted by the Veteran is relevant to his claims for service connection for various conditions, and these claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability and his TDIU claim have both been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the hearing loss disability, as it was rated at Level I in each ear, resulting in a noncompensable (0%) disability rating. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran's combined service-connected disability evaluation of 10% did not meet the schedular requirement for a TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss prior to June 13, 2019.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as he withdrew from appeal all pending claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for back disability and right shoulder disability have been denied.,However, the Veteran has been granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus.