Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an immune system disorder is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied as it is not related to in-service noise exposure and the Veteran’s current tinnitus began many years after service.,Bilateral hearing loss (right ear) is not shown to be a disability for VA purposes, while left ear hearing loss is noted at entrance but does not show an increase in severity during service.,The issue of entitlement to increased initial rating for right knee chondromalacia patella is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for head injury and brain tumor with residual memory loss, scar, slurred speech and headaches are remanded for additional development due to lack of specific medical examination or diagnosis.,Entitlement to service connection for muscle and joint pain is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lower back disability, neck disability, and migraine headaches have been reopened. However, the Board finds that new evidence does not establish service connection for any of these conditions.,The VA examination did not consider the Veteran’s complaints of back pain during service or at separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied because the new evidence received did not establish a link between his conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma and that symptoms have been continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that his hearing loss did not occur in or was aggravated by active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's testimony indicating his hearing loss has worsened since a previous VA examination. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination to determine if he has hearing loss related to active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted. The Board has remanded the cases for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (including atrial fibrillation), hypertension, and skin disability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating prior to August 22, 2016 for bilateral hearing loss and denied his claim for a compensable rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 30, 2019 and a rating in excess of 60 percent thereafter for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of psychophysiological GI reaction, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for coronary artery disease due to insufficient development.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss has been reopened, with a current rating of 10%.,The Veteran's claim for a back disorder (IVDS) has also been reopened, with a current rating of 10%.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for arthritis, sinusitis, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and residuals of frostbitten feet. However, these claims are being remanded as new evidence does not establish a direct link between any current disabilities and military service.,Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder) due to lack of evidence establishing a direct relationship with military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and back disabilities have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Service connection for bronchitis has also been denied, with the presumption being that it began in or around 1966 to 1968.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Tinnitus has been granted as it is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's disability manifested by tingling in the right arm and fingers claim is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,A remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of numbness in the finger-tips of the left hand.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including private audiograms from his working career. An updated opinion is needed based on this new information.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure. Service connection was denied for tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing its existence during or after service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes with peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to herbicides. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination, and he is being asked to provide clarification on the audiometry results from a private provider. He will be scheduled for an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.