Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection, while his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains at a 20% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection claims related to erectile dysfunction, gastroenteritis, bilateral hearing loss, and deviated septum as the appellant's authorized representative requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain and arthritis, bursitis, loss of sense of smell, loss of sense of taste, bronchitis, gastrointestinal disability (acquired), headaches, bilateral hearing loss, basal cell carcinoma residuals, linear scar of the left upper extremity post-basal cell carcinoma excision, nonlinear scar of the left upper extremity post-basal cell carcinoma excision, actinic keratosis, and residual scars from inguinal hernia repair.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Veteran failed to report to the VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his original compensation claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability, and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete development and lack of compliance with previous directives.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left leg injury, and prostate cancer due to incomplete development of records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to potential impact of a new law regarding herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending and will be reconsidered after the stay is lifted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss disability, including consideration of recent scientific or medical research/studies related to delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus disability began during service and continues since. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability in accordance with VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure during combat.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA audiology examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, as he reported worsening symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and kidney stones, but has remanded all other issues due to outstanding records. The cervical spine disorder claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing impairment and in-service noise exposure. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's STRs showed normal hearing at the time of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional evaluations of his right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to have worsened during service, and thus is considered aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, specifically visual impairment, hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to warrant a rating of 10 percent prior to June 3, 2014, and a rating of 20 percent from that date. The Board resolved all doubts in favor of the Veteran.