Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected, with the exception of a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee and a VA medical opinion to determine if he was unemployable prior to July 24, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for an additional VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's 50% rating for bilateral hearing loss is restored to January 1, 2018. The TDIU claim was denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hearing loss has worsened since his last examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the lack of available STRs. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current disabilities are related to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for service connection are not decided at this time.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis), and hallux valgus of the right great toe, hammer toes second, fourth, and fifth toes, and mild osteoarthritis great toe have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification is needed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, atrial fibrillation, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's left knee condition remains under review due to a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have started during service or within one year of separation, nor are they linked to in-service noise exposure.,For the left middle finger condition, the Veteran is already receiving a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee osteoarthritis, as well as entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is also being remanded.

The Board has restored service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, alleging exposure to loud noise during military service. The VA examiner found no evidence of hearing impairment at separation from service and concluded that the current hearing loss is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found no current disability of the left ankle, and that the Veteran’s hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for compensation benefits.,For the knee issues, the Veteran's claim is remanded as there are insufficient examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for right hip condition and lower back condition due to conflicting medical opinions.

The claim of service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's current diagnoses include bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus.