Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination, and the need for a new evaluation of his current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it is due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's claim was reopened and the new evidence provided a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of worsening that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and unaddressed issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not show current diagnoses or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a threshold shift in audiometric testing. The lung cancer claim is also remanded as it may be related to radiation exposure during service. Service connection for hypoxemia is also remanded as it is secondary to lung cancer. The cause of death claim has not been referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of a VA examination. The Veteran is advised to report for any scheduled examination and provide authorization if necessary.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to ensure compliance with the duty to assist, as required. The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are being remanded due to concerns about the adequacy of previous examinations.

The Board has remanded three issues: bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and service connection for a right eye disability. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a ruptured appendix is denied as the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish that any such present disorder is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which was reduced from 20 percent to noncompensable effective August 1, 2018. The Board has decided that a remand is necessary due to the need for further examination and consideration of the propriety of the reduction.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hearing loss may be related to service, but needs further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the reopening of a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as new and material evidence has been received. The matter is remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral mixed hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA audiological opinion, and needs further examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as 0% (noncompensable) throughout the appeal period, and a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claim for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew all pending claims before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is related to his naval service.