Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of an increased evaluation for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right leg shin splints, left leg shin splints, a lumbar spine disability, and a left thumb disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) rated at 30%, 10%, and 10% respectively did not result in functional impairment that precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 20, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to the lack of evidence linking the current hearing loss disability to military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of frostbite of both lower extremities, chronic fatigue syndrome, and thyroid cancer due to in-service herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection is not granted for left shoulder disability or right shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, and hernia condition as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss for further development due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the current 40 percent rating for lumbar spinal stenosis adequately reflects his condition, and the current 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus is also appropriate. Bilateral hearing loss and sciatica neuritis are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination or treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for prolapsed hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of relevant National Guard records and an incomplete audiogram. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence, including VA examination results.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss may be related to his service-connected right ear hearing loss, but needs further examination and opinion to determine this definitively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

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

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, as the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the VA audiological examination did not show exceptional patterns of hearing loss.,Service connection for sleep apnea, respiratory condition other than sleep apnea (claimed as breathing problems), and sinus/allergy condition were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability (pes planus), right foot disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and granted it, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. The right ear hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for pulmonary fibrosis (asbestosis) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.