Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for clarification on which arm is service-connected. The Veteran's medical expenses at a private hospital will also be reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has experienced continuity of symptomatology related to tinnitus since his separation from service and grants service connection for this condition. For the bilateral hearing loss, the Board finds remand necessary as there are insufficient records to determine if it began during active service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to determine their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, status post-operative and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying speech discrimination test results. The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are both being evaluated.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for a bilateral flat foot disability is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is related to his in-service noise exposure during combat duty.

The Board has added significant medical evidence to the record since the last decision and requires a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to consider this new evidence. The issues on appeal include service connection for hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to Parkinson's disease), erectile dysfunction, difficulty chewing/swallowing, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lipomas, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as secondary to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has vacated its decision, remanding the issues of service connection for left leg residuals associated with an arterial insufficiency, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to January 27, 2017, and a rating in excess of 20 percent from January 27, 2017, through September 25, 2017, for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to unclear private audiometric testing results.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a heart disability due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of July 1, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service. The medical opinions provided do not support a link between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, was not shown during service or within one year of separation. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against a finding that this condition is related to service.,Hypertension was not shown in service and did not manifest within one year after discharge. The Board also finds the preponderance of evidence against a finding that hypertension is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, foot drop, and a psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's death claim for service-connected benefits was denied, and the Appellant is seeking burial benefits in an amount exceeding $2000. The Board has determined that these matters are intertwined with her request to be substituted as a claimant, so they must be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within one year post-service separation.