Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current severity more closely approximates a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as both conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete audiometric test results and the need for clarification of VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to unclear rating decisions and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to a lack of recent treatment records from the University of Memphis. The Veteran seeks higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which cannot be granted based on current evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating or SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the grant of a 100% rating for his psychiatric condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo (also claimed as inner ear damage or peripheral vestibular disorder) due to a lack of evidence showing in-service onset, continuity of symptomatology, or a link between current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease and dizziness, sleep apnea, heart conditions, cervicogenic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied.,There is no evidence of any diagnosed condition related to the Veteran's military service in his records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's active duty and his current hearing impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, status post left knee lateral meniscectomy, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding his claim of service connection for PTSD. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the appeals are granted.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA audiological evaluation. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hearing loss is pending and will be reconsidered after the completion of this development.

The Veteran's hearing acuity was found to be within the criteria for a 0 percent rating, and his claims were denied as there is no evidence of exceptional pattern of hearing loss or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) after receiving new evidence from the VA examination in March 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to a possible worsening of his condition since his last VA examination.