Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as non-compensable throughout the appeal period due to having Level II hearing acuity, which is below the threshold for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a diagnosed disability for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements regarding exposure to noise during service and persistence of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is related to service-connected tinnitus and peripheral vestibular disorder, while his epistaxis rating needs to be reassessed.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of July 17, 2002 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are denied. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, including emphysema and other COPD ailments, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to fumes from painting and welding, which he testified was without proper protection.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding questions regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases due to an inadequate August 2017 VA opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining a new addendum opinion from the same or another examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of consideration regarding pre-service onset or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The new evidence submitted does not relate to this issue.,Prostate cancer was denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure or a link to Agent Orange exposure, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that prostate cancer is related to service.,Type II diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's claim for hearing loss was also denied.,Low back disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or a link to service, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to reopen his low back disorder claim.,The Veteran's hearing loss claim was denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to have started and continued since service due to noise exposure in Iraq, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remains at noncompensable levels. The claim for service connection of sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps on face and neck) is denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or near his period of service. His bilateral hearing loss, however, is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure in service.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for left and right ear hearing loss due to new evidence received since the final January 1974 rating decision. The Board found that his current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his active duty service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since November 10, 2011.