Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right fourth (ring) finger condition, headache disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims have been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for service-connected vestibular disorder, as well as the effective date issue. The AOJ must ensure that all relevant evidence is obtained and associated with the record, including audiometric testing results from September 2014 and other occasions. A retrospective medical opinion should be obtained to determine if the Veteran's symptoms prior to April 2009 were consistent with his later diagnosed central vestibular disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that his current level of disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions and the need for an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's hearing loss claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the use of the Maryland CNC word list and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's hearing loss disability, as well as other service connection claims. The VA will need to obtain all relevant treatment records from 2015, particularly those related to the Veteran's audiological evaluations.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability has been granted.,Service connection for cervical spine condition and vertigo has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records, particularly from the Veteran's service in Connecticut. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is now pending and will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is due to noise exposure during her service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not related to active service, as there is clear and unmistakable evidence that his defective left ear hearing preexisted service and was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by service. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is therefore denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher staged initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, rated 20 percent prior to March 12, 2019, and 30 percent from March 12, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for right knee injury, to include as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, has been remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 10, 2017 for various service connection decisions. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration of all issues on appeal.

The claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted, as the evidence shows a continuity of symptoms since service and no direct link to service. The Veteran's hearing was normal at enlistment but showed hearing loss by retirement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The right knee disability and headache disability were granted, while the bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, left knee disability, and skin growth on the left cheek remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of Air Force Reserve service personnel and medical records. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is being reviewed again as new evidence was submitted within one year of the previous denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a rating of 50% effective from March 2, 2018. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 40%. The decision also addressed the functional impairment caused by the hearing loss and its impact on daily life.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and remanded due to the need for a new VA audiology evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current disability is related to his military service.