Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for Meniere’s syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The examiner is to determine if these conditions are related to in-service exposure to ototoxic chemicals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during service or is related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for tinnitus is also denied, with no current diagnosis found and the Veteran denying recurrent symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than Level I hearing loss in the right and left ears.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a new medical examination by an otolaryngologist, due to incomplete opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA is required to obtain new medical examinations to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues regarding sleep apnea, left inguinal hernia, sinus or respiratory disability, cervical spine disorder, numbness in the left hand/fingers, and left eye surgery. The right inguinal hernia with scar issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not shown during service or at any time after service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his military noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are attributable to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for hypertension and bilateral eye disability due to diabetes have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities and hearing loss, as well as a need for further development of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, a right knee disorder, and hypertension is denied. The appeal for service connection for a left knee disorder and a respiratory disorder is remanded.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support its onset during or related to active duty service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right knee disorder, and hypertension are also denied due to lack of current disability for VA purposes. The appeal for service connection for a left knee disorder and respiratory disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for recurrent tinnitus was also denied, with the Board finding that there is no evidence of chronic tinnitus during service and noting that his symptoms are within normal experience.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability due to conflicting opinions from previous VA examiners. The new examination must address whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected condition.