Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the Board denied both DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his low back disability, are rated at the lowest possible levels. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show a nexus between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that the Veteran's testimony supported a link to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to inadequate opinions provided in his March 2015 VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and neurological disorder in the extremities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his claim for a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating and an earlier effective date.,There was no formal or informal claim for an increased rating prior to October 18, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids. The remaining issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, EAC (skin condition), and a right knee condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied for a compensable rating prior to July 18, 2019 and for any increased rating.,Service connection for skin conditions of the bilateral feet and gout were both denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 19, 2017 for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of an earlier notice of intent to file or application for service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in August 2016 is inadequate to fairly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion considering both ASA and ISO-ANSI standards, as well as a specific medical article.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type II has been reopened and is now pending as the Veteran provided new evidence suggesting he served in Vietnam.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have been caused by his service in Vietnam based on his reported exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the Veteran reporting worsening symptoms since his last examination in August 2018. The VA needs to schedule an updated assessment and obtain his May 3, 2016 audiometric test results.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied. The claim for a higher initial disability rating for tinnitus remains pending, as does the referral for TDIU due to tinnitus.

The Board has found the audiologist's opinion inadequate and remanded for further action on the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is presumed to have been in sound condition upon entry into active duty, but her left ear hearing loss may be related to service due to a pre-existing condition. Right ear hearing loss is also considered as possibly related to service based on noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his severe back pain and heart condition, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and vertigo, to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a lumbosacral strain, a cervical strain, right foot metatarsalgia, left foot metatarsalgia, and residuals of an injured ring finger of the left hand. The effective date is not specified.