Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as Level I, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an updated VA examination of the service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to potential etiological links to in-service noise exposure and running-related injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and left ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, as well as to obtain additional VA treatment records. The claims for higher ratings for DM II with cataracts, PVD of the right and left lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded due to lack of recent evaluations. Additionally, a TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, with the presumption that it was caused by herbicide agent exposure during active duty at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.,The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide agents exposure is granted based on his credible lay statements and military personnel records indicating significant contact with the air base perimeter.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the appellant's service-connected left ear hearing loss, finding that his disability manifested as Level I hearing impairment during the period on appeal. The right ear hearing loss is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to acoustic trauma sustained during active service, and grants this claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, lower back disability, neck disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is assigned for both conditions.

The Board has found that the VA examination did not comply with previous remand instructions and requires further development to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss disability is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss based on aggravation, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and PTSD, with a rating of 70 percent effective June 3, 2014. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected, but he has been granted a TDIU due to his PTSD. Bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a traumatic brain injury are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including refractive error of the eyes, right ear hearing loss, sinusitis, gastric ulcers, periodic limb movement syndrome (restless leg syndrome), and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, have all been denied. The Board found that there was no current disability for each condition as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergies, a headache disability, and a respiratory disability (to include latent Tuberculosis) have all been denied as they are not supported by evidence showing service connection.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all his appeals.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that it is at least as likely as not related to acoustic trauma in service. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss is considered, along with his military occupational specialty which had a high probability of noise exposure.