Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and left inner ear disability, as well as pension benefits prior to December 7, 2015. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection or permanent total disability due to nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and rating actions due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee instability has been dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for right knee DJD and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing loss to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within a year of separation, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and oral cancer due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including a low back disorder, left and right knee disorders, sleep disorder, and psychiatric disorder. The claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that it is related to in-service aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The Veteran now has service connection for this disability on an aggravation basis.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted. However, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of these conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining verification of dates of service and conducting an adequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids, finding no nexus between the disabilities and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are related to the severity of his service-connected conditions, including hearing loss and a psychiatric disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic disability within one year of separation, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to service connection for Parkinson’s disease, an increased rating for tinnitus, and total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.