Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right hand disability to include arthritis, and left hand disability to include arthritis due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the disabilities and service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence linking the current hearing loss, right hand, or left hand disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and untranslated documents. The VA must obtain SSA disability benefits decision, translate Spanish documents into English, and continue efforts to locate missing records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and service. The examiner is required to provide a thorough opinion on whether the hearing loss began during service or if it is related to noise exposure.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left hip condition and bilateral hearing loss disability are denied.,Service connection for headaches is granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder characterized as depressive disorder.,PTSD service connection is reopened due to new evidence, but the claim remains denied.,Service connection for cervical spine disorder is denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions, including hemorrhoids and a left little toe callus. The claims were also dismissed due to her withdrawal of other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent (noncompensable) throughout the appeal period, as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has decided that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for hearing loss, but has ordered a remand to obtain missing records.

The Veteran's low back condition is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to limitations in range of motion and no evidence of ankylosis or IVDS.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as Level II impairment, which is noncompensable. The Board found no basis for a compensable rating based on the current evidence.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability claim is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss disability has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cancer of the trachea and thyroid cancer due to radiation exposure, as well as service connection for sleep apnea and depression.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of low back disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss for further examination and opinion as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a rib disorder have been reopened. The claim for back disability remains denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition. Service connection was not granted for skin cancer due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's August 20, 2015 substantive appeal was timely filed due to equitable tolling. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are being remanded as new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was granted. Service connection is established for both conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss needs to be remanded due to incomplete medical records. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records and an audiogram from June 2014.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and he did not have a permanent total service-connected disability at the time of his death. The appellant's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is denied.