Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran’s appeal is remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected conditions, as well as additional evidence regarding his claims. The appeals are not related to a presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for updated VA medical records. The issue of aggravation of obstructive sleep apnea by tinnitus is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted. The VA is remanding the claims for initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss, old injury of the right ring finger with chronic pain, healed right finger scar, and TDIU due to lack of sufficient information on his work history.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss, old injury of the right ring finger with chronic pain, healed right finger scar, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her left knee disorder and service connection for bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The left knee condition is rated at 10 percent, while the hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of VA examination, despite the Veteran being incarcerated.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are being remanded due to incomplete examination reports. The Board requests a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's 60 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is restored to July 1, 2019 as his condition has not improved in such a manner that it enhances his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining post-service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection are being remanded.

The Board has denied an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for left foot pes planus. The case is now before the RO to clarify whether service connection was intended for left foot pes planus alone, and if so, to adjudicate whether separate ratings are warranted for left foot Morton's neuroma, calcaneal spur, and/or traumatic changes of great toe.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to hazardous noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding these conditions and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left big toe gout have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines is granted, while his claims for other conditions are denied. The Veteran also received a higher rating for anxiety with PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with a rating of 100% effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is not established, and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease, to include any in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to concerns about the adequacy of the July 2017 VA examination.