Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected as it had its onset during his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for various knee disabilities and service connection claims, including those related to psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, hand and shoulder conditions, eye disorders, hearing loss, migraine headaches, and knee disorders. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria. The GERD case is remanded as the Veteran has not been examined regarding his claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and bilateral hearing loss prior to February 3, 2018 was denied. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected lower left leg scar was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, sarcoidosis, lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during service. The claims are being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, considering recent research on delayed onset hearing loss and jet fuel exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received since the November 2014 rating decision. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being reconsidered as they may be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service. An addendum opinion is needed considering a March 1979 service treatment record that noted hearing problems.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the left ear, finding that it is due to noise exposure during military service.

The claim for service connection of residuals of a low back injury, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral foot disorders, right and left knee disorders, and right and left shoulder disorders. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records.,Service connection is not granted for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus as the evidence does not meet VA standards for a disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence requiring further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to in-service noise exposure.,There was no evidence of hearing problems or tinnitus during service, and the Veteran's perception of decreased hearing acuity since service does not meet the definition of a 'disability' as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. The cases for bilateral hearing loss and left hip disorder are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin condition. The remand includes obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, as well as scheduling him for a VA examination to determine if his current skin conditions are related to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is granted service connection. His left ear hearing loss is denied as not aggravated by his military service. The right knee strain with degenerative arthritis remains at a 10% rating, and the lumbar spine disability is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disorder due to missing service treatment records and the need to address continuity of symptoms since service.