Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence indicating a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence that his current hearing loss began during or was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, but his right ear hearing loss is denied. The hypertension claim is remanded for further analysis.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral hand condition, tinnitus, hearing loss, left hip disability, and right leg disability. The decisions were based on a lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for vertigo and hearing loss, as there is confusion in the record regarding their nature.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50% evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, effective September 1, 2016. The reduction from 50% to 20% was remanded due to procedural violations and a need for another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because a new VA examination is needed, as well as any outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current evaluation adequately reflects his functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee joint pain, back joint pain, and bilateral hip joint pain due to a lack of evidence in the record. The RO did not consider the Veteran's combat status during service or his military occupation specialty as a cavalry scout.

The Veteran's 40 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was restored due to the failure of the RO to consider the full history and all examinations in reducing the rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating based on functional impact and current VA examination results.

The Veteran's claim for skin rash, groin area is reopened and remanded. Other claims are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, including noise exposure during military service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back condition, left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with the adequacy of previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's GERD is not related to service and was not diagnosed until after service.,The Veteran's lower back disability did not have its onset in service or since, and is not linked to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The condition may be exacerbated by the Veteran's nightmares related to his PTSD.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing impairment is causally related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to additional VA examination and opinion being necessary.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 23, 2018 and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran did not file a Notice of Disagreement regarding the rating assigned for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus the Board does not have jurisdiction over this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for right-sided hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the claim of left-sided hearing loss due to lack of a current disability.