Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and adjustment disorder. The effective date of the grant of service connection for prostate cancer was set at June 27, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss and determined that a current disability is present, but finds no causal relationship between in-service noise exposure and the current condition.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a vestibular disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, COPD, and hernias have been remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to issues related to bilateral hearing loss and pes planus. Specifically, they need to determine if the Veteran's symptoms of vertigo, dizziness, and a 'floating feeling' are manifestations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability or a diagnosed clinical disorder. They also need to determine if the Veteran’s degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsal phalangeal joint is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is conceded, and an audiologist should provide a new opinion on whether his current hearing loss disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI residuals, increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, increased rating for tinnitus, and increased rating for forehead scar due to additional development needs.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to noise exposure in service. Service connection was denied for middle ear damage and migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his period of service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by active service.,There is no evidence of current symptoms or diagnoses of tinnitus during service. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure did not result in a compensable degree of tinnitus within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during service nor caused by any aspect of active duty service.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but remanded the issue of service connection for prostate cancer due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is rated as Level I, resulting in a non-compensable rating.,The Veteran's GERD has been rated as noncompensable due to the absence of symptoms such as dysphagia, pyrosis, or regurgitation that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there is no evidence of penile deformity.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ankle disability was denied in an August 1994 rating decision. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim, so the denial remains final. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The petition to reopen the appeal for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The petition to reopen the appeal for entitlement to service connection for right knee pain is reopened and the claim for service connection for right knee pain is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and origin of these disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, but granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic bilateral foot strain.,Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic bilateral foot strain. Service connection for right ear hearing loss remains denied.