Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of current disability. The Board is remanding the claims for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), pulmonary disability including asthma, low back disability including scoliosis, and bilateral knee disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI was denied as there was no in-service injury or disease, and the evidence does not support a finding that his current symptoms are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to concerns about the reliability of a study cited in previous VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The issues of TDIU are also deferred pending resolution of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise with regard to showing these conditions are associated with the Veteran's service. The decision affirms the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities within VA's definition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to issues with the timeliness of his substantive appeals for service connection. The remaining claims are related to TBI and right knee disability.

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

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination due to the passage of time and the Veteran's reports of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, sleep apnea, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastrointestinal disability, and hypertension disabilities have been denied. The claim of service connection for a heart disability has been reopened but remains denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was not granted a higher rating prior to March 10, 2016. A 20% rating is granted for the period from March 10, 2016, to May 31, 2017. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The low back disability is rated at 20 percent. Bilateral hearing loss has not been established as related to service. Tinnitus has been found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disorder, psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, lumbar spine disorder, shoulder disorder, and sleep apnea, were denied as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is rated at 20 percent, effective August 29, 2014. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for neck disorder, left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), skin itching disorder, right ear hearing loss, right thigh disorder, right shoulder disorder, and bilateral wrist disorders are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,Right ear hearing loss was not diagnosed for VA purposes.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical evaluation.