Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD claims due to the need for updated VA examinations, as well as the need to obtain Social Security Administration records. The bipolar disorder claim will be addressed in conjunction with the PTSD claim.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an increased rating for right lung tuberculoma was dismissed.,Service connection for the low back condition is not established as there is no evidence of chronic back pain or injury during service, and the current disability is more likely related to post-service employment duties.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his death. The appeal is remanded for substitution purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable was improper, and his rating is restored to 10 percent effective November 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and any outstanding audiogram records.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability. However, it is denied as there is no evidence showing a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of hearing loss of the left ear as it is no longer in dispute due to a prior grant. The claim for hypertension was denied as there is insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, a seizure disorder, and headaches due to additional development being required. Service connection is denied for hypotestosteronemia.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a head injury, and tinnitus. The cases are now remanded for additional development.

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's left leg thrombophlebitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating.,Service connection for diffuse degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was granted. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence supported a finding that the condition was incurred in service.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia and PTSD), and a left shoulder condition due to insufficient medical opinions and missing evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of credible evidence showing that his pre-existing back disability was aggravated by active duty service. The decision also noted remanded issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be service-connected as it is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is considered to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disorder and the effective date for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded the initial compensable rating claim.