Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active service.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded for further evaluation due to the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of at least 70 percent since January 13, 2010. The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a higher rating of 30 percent effective March 5, 2015. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim remains pending.,The Veteran's PTSD and migraine headaches claims are granted with increased ratings, while the hearing loss claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with a disability rating of Level I in the right ear and Level III in the left ear. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and bilateral hearing loss disability, as well as his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for plantar warts of the feet, are remanded due to issues with timely notice of VA examinations. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were aggravated by active service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate VA medical opinion and need for further clarification on audiogram conversions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a disability in either ear and insufficient evidence to link any hearing loss to military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of major depressive disorder was withdrawn. Service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, left knee chondromalacia, skin disability, spondylosis of the back, and sleep apnea were granted. The Veteran's appeals for head injury residuals (right and left shoulders), right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that his current disability was not related to his military service and there is no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have started during service and continues today, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and his right ear hearing loss disability is denied a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and service. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the hearing loss began during or soon after service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating from October 20, 2016. The VA has granted the claim for a higher rating for PTSD but has not yet determined whether to grant service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, as there was no evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260 due to limitation of flexion. His left index finger and ring fingers were each rated at 0 percent based on the absence of functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, but his hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for the Veteran's left great toe disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and low back disability due to new evidence of worsening symptoms since his last examinations.