Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence of left ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes during the current appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a bilateral foot disability, and service connection for brain disease have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for sleep disorder has been reopened, as well as the claims for chest tightness with muscle spasms and short term memory loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise, meaning it raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person.,The Veteran does not have additional right ankle disability proximately caused or aggravated by VA hospitalization and surgery in July 1990.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to potential secondary relationship. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on evidence submitted since a previous denial of these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The Veteran's service records need to be verified, particularly his service in the Tennessee National Guard.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to inconsistent responses during audiometric testing.,An earlier effective date of August 31, 2004 for the award of service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. An effective date prior to October 22, 2008 for the award of service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability and several musculoskeletal issues. The appeal was also denied for TDIU due to lack of evidence showing unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability is remanded due to outstanding treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current hearing loss, which he claims is related to noise exposure during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease due to noise exposure in service. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed based on herbicide exposure during his time at the U-Tapao Air Force Base.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level II in each ear throughout the initial rating period on appeal. An exceptional pattern of hearing loss has not manifested, resulting in a noncompensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis are not service-connected.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or in-service injury.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service. However, the claim for left ear hearing loss disability is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for arthritis of the right hand/fingers, left hand/fingers, and bilateral shoulders have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board found that tinnitus is related to in-service diving incidents.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA thoracolumbar spine examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and its impact on his ability to work and daily activities. The decision regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was increased to a 50 percent rating effective October 25, 2018. The Board found that the evidence supported this increase in rating.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but denied the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA and private medical records and to schedule an audiometric examination.