Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, while his hypertension was not shown to have manifested within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's GERD and genitourinary disability (prostate disorder) are also denied as they do not appear to be linked to service.,Service connection for the Veteran’s hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, GERD, and prostate disorder were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has ordered a new examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss due to the significant amount of time since his last adequate evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's colon cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability due to a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide copies of his service separation examination and any other relevant medical evidence. A VA audiology and low back disability examination are also required.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, and bilateral foot disorder are all granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not considered a disability for VA purposes.,Right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The RO increased the rating to 30% effective September 19, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it did not meet the criteria as there was no evidence of a nexus between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as non-compensable due to the severity of his condition, which is currently at Level I in both ears.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records, specifically those related to the reasons for discharge and in-service hearing loss. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for right ear hearing loss as new and material evidence was not received, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and adult onset diabetes. However, these claims are still pending as they need further development due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of vision impairment, bilateral hand condition, right knee disability, left knee disability, lower back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and heart disability have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability. The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as 20% prior to June 29, 2016 and 50% from June 29, 2016 to August 29, 2018. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding TDIU.