Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records and a September 2018 VA Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Examination, which were not considered in the previous decision. The case will be reviewed by the AOJ for further consideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it originated during active duty. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and ear disorder to include bleeding of the ears are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. Low back, left leg, head trauma, and acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD) are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left ear hearing loss. His combined rating is 80 percent. The Board finds it necessary to remand the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to lack of opinion on impact on work.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but his claim for tinnitus was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disability and attributing any hearing issues to occupational noise exposure at a shipyard post-service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, specifically the acoustic trauma he experienced during active duty. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection, particularly concerning PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for arthritis of the right hip was granted, with a finding that it is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU since April 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cardiomyopathy due to incomplete records, inadequate examination findings, and failure to obtain all requested medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for various knee, shoulder, toe, groin, and hearing loss conditions are remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in her right ear due to a lack of evidence meeting VA standards for a disability, as no current hearing impairment was found.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI with PTSD are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension secondary to his PTSD. The claim is also being remanded for a VA examination.,The Veteran seeks service connection for visual impairment secondary to his TBI and/or migraines. The claim is being remanded for a VA examination.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right ear hearing loss secondary to his TBI. The claim is being remanded for a VA examination.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the inextricability of this issue with the PTSD and hypertension claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, have rendered him unemployable and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no credible evidence linking the current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, headaches, shin splints, bone spurs in the right foot, back disability, and right knee disability. The reasons include lack of VA examination due to failure to report for scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The case is remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service due to exposure to acoustic trauma during combat in Vietnam.