Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2015 VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for transitional cell carcinoma, right ear hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder) has been reopened.,Service connection for schizophrenia was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, consideration of new evidence, and clarification of etiological opinions.

Service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to service-connected tinnitus, is granted. The Veteran's current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is considered caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss in each ear is granted. The appeal is remanded for further development on the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, each lower extremity (LE), and hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that he is entitled to this benefit.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing disability that meets VA criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The appeals for secondary service connection for coronary artery disease and TDIU were remanded.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional audiogram results, and a new examination will be scheduled if necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacy of a prior VA examination regarding bilateral hearing loss, and a need for a new examination to address the medical questions presented by the appealed claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and lower back disability are denied. The lower back disability claim is remanded, as well as the left hand status post ring finger fracture claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee and left ear hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as clarification of SSA disability benefits.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of chronic in-service symptoms or continuous post-service symptoms, and the current conditions are not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology for any condition.,While the Veteran reported having hearing difficulties, there is no audiometric evidence showing that he had a bilateral hearing loss disability considered a VA disability for which service connection could be granted.,The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology for this condition.,Hypertension was not shown as chronic in service, and there is no clinical evidence suggesting that it manifested to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology for hypertension.,Type II diabetes mellitus was not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology for this condition.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of these conditions during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's MOS likely exposed him to noise during service, leading to current hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements of continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. However, the Board denied service connection for tinnitus, concluding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury leading to the condition.