Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a link between his in-service otitis media and current hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and back condition are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and is therefore not aggravated by military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the claims for service connection are moot.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating at any point during the period under review. For the left third finger distal interphalangeal contracture and keloid lesions, the Board remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU as there is no evidence of a current disability or causation related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability, headache disability, sleep disability, acquired psychiatric disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no probative evidence of current disabilities. The claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder and bilateral ankle disorders, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for essential tremor is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded to determine if it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The examiner needs to consider research on delayed-onset hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to inadequate opinion in the March 2019 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent compensation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. An earlier effective date prior to December 13, 2013, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for a right ankle disorder are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded his claims for a back disability and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for right ear hearing loss was not reopened. Service connection for myalgias (muscle pains) is granted as a presumptive condition due to Southwest Asia service. A rating of 30% for left shoulder bicipital tendonitis is granted effective August 22, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, lupus, heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicides.,Specifically, the RO must determine if the USS Frederick (LST-1184) was in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam during service. If so, an addendum VA opinion will be obtained to assess the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic kidney disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between his current hearing loss and his military service.