Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a link between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision on tinnitus is pending as it is at least in equipoise with the evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was denied for residuals of malaria due to lack of a diagnosed disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a 0% disability rating. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not rise to the level of severity warranting compensation under the regulation.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence does not show a link to military service.

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

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need to associate a June 2017 audiogram with the claims file.

A 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 5, 2017 is granted. A compensable rating since September 5, 2017 is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for malaria was denied. The appeals for service connection for back, left ankle, right ankle, bilateral foot (pes planus), bilateral eyesight loss, and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The TDIU claim will be addressed after the examinations are completed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether the Veteran failed to report for scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, while his bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus began in service and continued after service.

The Veteran's appeals for whether new and material has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for acromioclavicular separation with degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for eczema have all been dismissed. The appeals for the remaining issues are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations and mental impairments.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or symptoms. The COPD claim is denied due to lack of in-service herbicide exposure.,There is no direct evidence linking the Veteran’s current COPD to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military noise exposure during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the underlying claim remains denied. The back disability is being remanded for a new examination to determine its current severity and impact on employment. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The issues include a non-PTSD psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from private physicians and VA hospitals. The Board will also schedule a VA examination to determine if hypertension is related to his service-connected IHD or Agent Orange exposure.