Hearing loss decisions — 2019

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 acoustic trauma sufficient to cause 'acoustic damage' resulting in current hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service complaints or diagnoses. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for tinnitus and nonservice-connected pension, and has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated as noncompensable, with the highest schedular rating for tinnitus.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's TBI was granted service connection, but his claims for PTSD, alcohol abuse disorder (secondary to PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, chronic adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and sleep disturbances were denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for residuals of a right ear injury (other than congenitally enlarged mastoid bone), acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension. However, additional development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, is granted as presumptively service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD, service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to TDIU has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 8, 2016, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no claim submitted before that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred hearing loss and tinnitus during his period of service, but further examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service exposure. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability was found to be etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, while his tinnitus is considered secondary to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The Veteran's left leg edema is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The decision also notes that the Veteran served in the U.S. Army from November 1990 to September 2017, and his medical records contain multiple entries regarding cellulitis and edema.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss has been granted, as new and material evidence was submitted. Service connection is also established for OSA secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection is denied for various wrist, ankle, foot, eye, and headache disorders due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 19, 2019. The Board has granted a higher rating for the period from March 19, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The back disorder, TBI residuals, and seizure disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and left foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss did not increase in severity during his active duty service.