Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The decision is not about service connection, but rather the propriety of reducing his rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of fifth toe bunionectomies were denied. The Veteran was also denied VA nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely not etiologically related to in-service combat noise exposure, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The claim for sleep disorder is also reopened.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (primarily PTSD) is denied as there is no credible evidence that the claimed stressor occurred.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any present bilateral hearing loss, as well as address the August 2011 VA examiner's indication that the Veteran may have had left ear hearing loss prior to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues except service connection for sinusitis, which was dismissed. The remaining appeals were also dismissed as the Veteran expressed satisfaction with his current combined disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) due to service, as further development is needed.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but has remanded it for further development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, polymyalgia rheumatica, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, with the condition being related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder is denied due to insufficient evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, wrist condition, sleep apnea, and PTSD have been denied. The claim for service connection for the residuals of a head injury is being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye condition and right eye condition are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability meeting VA criteria and thus not warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to service, due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, and has remanded for further evaluation of his right ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left eye corneal scar are found to be related to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and eye disorder claims require additional development as the records may not provide sufficient information for a determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 1, 2015, for the start of payment of disability compensation based on his service-connected disabilities. The effective date of the grants of service connection was January 1, 2015, but actual payment began on February 1, 2015.