Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been manifested by auditory acuity no worse than Level I in the right ear and Level II in the left ear. The Board finds that a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer. The reasons given were that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The skin disability claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss based on aggravation during service, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss worsened due to noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The claims for service connection for PTSD and left ear hearing loss are granted, with the latter being effective from when new evidence was received. TDIU is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition has been present since and is attributable to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. His current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss raises the possibility of substantiating his claim.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease and headaches was denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asbestosis, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent (non-compensable) due to audiometric testing results which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss is found to be attributable to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is remanded for further evaluation due to a lack of VA examination, and his PTSD rating is also remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is required before it can address the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure and that his current hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for a disability. The preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards. The in-service noise exposure is acknowledged, but the evidence does not support a link between the current conditions and service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disability, chronic tinea pedis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records and assist the Veteran in identifying his military occupational specialty and any noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.