Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and asthma. The Veteran's back disability was not linked to his time in service or pre-existed it. His hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to military noise exposure. The Board found that the Veteran's asthma existed prior to service and did not worsen during service.,The decision denied all claims as there was no evidence linking any of the conditions to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology and relationship between her hearing loss and service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea requires a remand due to inadequate opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for adenitis systematic viremia with partial removal of small intestines and viral infection due to the appellant's withdrawal. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis of C3-4, left ear hearing loss, and left shoulder subacromial bursitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as the condition is not shown to be caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims were both denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA compensation criteria.,Service connection for sialoadenitis (partial parotidectomy) was granted, but the Veteran did not receive a compensable rating as his condition is currently noncompensably disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and breathing condition (COPD and pneumonia) were denied as there was no in-service incurrence or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the complexity of the issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate and invalid examination results, potential noise exposure based on his MOS, and lack of private treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The Board also found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including TDIU and evaluations for various conditions. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of TDIU and has therefore remanded all matters.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the case for further action on bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence and need for a valid audiological examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible assertions of in-service noise exposure and current symptomatology, with no evidence of a nexus to service.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be service-connected as it is at least as likely as not incurred in service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 20% for bilateral hearing loss from February 3, 2012 to October 14, 2016 was denied. The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the award of a 20% rating for his bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for headaches due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not show current audiometric findings that meet the criteria for a grant of service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board found new evidence that supports the claim of tinnitus having onset during active service and is related to a service-connected TBI.