Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss. The decision on tinnitus is that it began during service, while the decisions on hearing loss are pending as they require further examination to determine if there was aggravation or initial incurrence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent) and has not met the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, left breast cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin condition due to outstanding service treatment records from the Veteran's Gulf War period of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 20, 2019 or any rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right foot disability, malaria, EBV, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric condition, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have manifested during active duty service, with continuity of symptomatology since then.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus the Board dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to new evidence indicating worsening of symptoms since previous examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it began during active duty. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing its onset or relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disorder and left ear disorder (including hearing loss) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in September 1986 due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service. The claim has been reopened with new and material evidence.,Service connection for coronary artery disease is granted based on exposure to herbicidal agents during service in Thailand, which is presumed for veterans who served in Vietnam-era areas or those exposed to herbicides like Agent Orange.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II was also reopened with new and material evidence. Service connection is granted due to his military service in Thailand where he was exposed to herbicide agents.,Service connection for bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to exposure to herbicidal agents during service.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied. The most recent audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew her claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bunion formations was reopened and granted, but the condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss from March 31, 2015 is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation as the audiometric findings did not meet the criteria for an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, right and left knee disorders, and a psychiatric disorder due to the need to obtain VA medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the right ear hearing loss.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea syndromes is remanded.