Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a low back condition due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the effective dates for certain awards have also been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claims for left ear hearing loss, sinusitis, or bronchitis. Effective dates were determined based on when the claims were received.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to discrepancies in the Veteran's audiograms during service. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion considering the proper unit conversions and determining if it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus began during or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, as new evidence supports a finding that the current diagnosis is related to military noise exposure. However, his petition to reopen his bladder cancer claim was denied due to lack of supporting evidence.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was established based on direct evidence linking it to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bladder cancer was not granted as there was no evidence attributing the condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. Right ear hearing loss is considered to have had its onset during service and the Veteran was not diagnosed with left ear hearing loss at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and arrange for a VA examination regarding his pes planus and left foot disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a higher initial rating for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for left ear hearing loss was granted with an initial 0 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to his withdrawal of those claims prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for partial amputation of the left finger is denied due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken left clavicle or collar bone is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken left leg is denied without sufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken right hip is denied due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken right knee is denied based on lack of evidence.,The Veteran's claim for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) is granted, with the condition believed to have begun during service and aggravated by other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD and left ear hearing loss have resulted in a TDIU, as his service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to obtain or maintain employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on a direct basis.

The Board has restored a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously reduced to 0%. The improvement in the disability since the July 2011 examination is considered an actual change and reflects an improvement in the ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus effective September 23, 2008. The Veteran's claim was reopened in September 2004, but the date of entitlement is October 2012 when a VA examination provided positive nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for basal and squamous cell carcinoma, bilateral hearing loss, and herpes zoster were denied. The claim for a pulmonary disability secondary to asbestos exposure was remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing current disability, with the exception of remanding issues regarding a back disability and hypertension.,Service connection is not granted for a back disability or hypertension as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the case for further action regarding tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is insufficient evidence to find a nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.