Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 1, 2015. His TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 50 percent rating for migraines is granted. The Veteran also has other service-connected conditions, but the appeal does not address their effective dates or whether they are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee, left knee, right leg, left leg, muscle disorder, eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, skin rash disability, chronic pain disorder, and neck disability. The decision also denied reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 27, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and denied the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left inguinal hernia surgery and right thumb disability have been withdrawn. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are denied, as they did not manifest within one year of discharge or to a compensable degree due to intercurrent causes. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his combined 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,The Board has remanded cases involving service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, tension headaches (secondary to service-connected tinnitus), and thyroid disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the unavailability of VA treatment records from September 2011 and March 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically a lack of usable audiogram. The claim will be returned for further examination and evaluation after the Veteran has had impacted ear wax removed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is not enough evidence to support a link between her current hearing loss and her active military service.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic conditions that could be linked to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tuberculosis, problems with fingers on both hands, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, sickle cell anemia trait, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The appeals were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and unassociated treatment records. The Veteran is currently incarcerated, which complicates obtaining necessary medical evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted effective April 30, 2015. A 50% disability rating has also been assigned for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA and private treatment records, complete audiometric testing, and undergo a VA examination for his back and ears.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy. The remaining claims for hearing loss, anemia, bleeding ulcer, heart condition, PTSD, hypertension, and TDIU are also pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset during service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The VA examiner found no nexus between the Veteran's military service and his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 12, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.