Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied because there is no current disability that meets the criteria for a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left knees have been withdrawn.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but the issue of low back disability is remanded.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals related to the appellant's claims for initial compensable ratings, effective dates earlier than specific dates, and service connection. The issues have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the effective date is not specified. The rating assigned and effective date will be determined in a future remand.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was granted service connection as it worsened during service.,Right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection based on the Veteran’s credible reports of symptoms in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's hearing loss and to verify his service dates, which may impact his lumbar spine disorder claim. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

All issues on appeal are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, as well as the requests for effective dates prior to January 7, 2014, were all denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10% was assigned for tinnitus, and no compensable rating was granted for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service based on credible evidence of noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and short-term memory loss due to in-service noise exposure, as the VA examiner's opinion did not adequately address the Veteran’s allegations of in-service noise trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and heart disorder (coronary artery disease) have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims should be remanded due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate rationale for the denial of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether it is related to service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to a lack of aggravation beyond normal progression during service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but the left ear hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for frostbite residuals of the bilateral hands and feet. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding his in-service exposure to noise and cold injuries, which led to current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for any of the claimed conditions and thus, service connection is denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, RLE shin splints (right lower extremity), right ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are not shown to have begun during active service or be otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection was also denied for a right leg disability as secondary to the low back disability.