Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to an in-service injury, including a C-124 back firing in his left ear.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran contends that his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service and no continuous symptoms since service. The examiner concluded that the currently diagnosed hearing loss is less likely than not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his acknowledged in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and lumbar spine, and a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was assigned a 20% disability rating for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right foot pes planus, and right ear hearing loss due to missing audiograms and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD rating has been increased to 70% effective May 31, 2011. Other claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss. The rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right elbow bursitis, and right ankle condition are related to his military service. However, due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions, the claims for these conditions must be remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide a thorough examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is denied as it does not meet the threshold for a ratable disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for ALS is denied due to lack of diagnosis and no symptoms or functional impairment attributed with ALS.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records related to his September 1990 automobile accident, as well as to request treatment records from Lourdes Medical Center and Rancocas Valley Hospital.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, low back disability, and hearing loss in the right ear due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his reported symptoms during service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, but the claims for left ear hearing loss, PTSD rating, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's exposure to noise during service is conceded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss disorder and tinnitus due to a lack of medical evidence considering the Veteran's lay statements about his exposure to loud noises during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for tinnitus due to insufficient evidence of current disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of clarity in the relationship between her current conditions and military service. She is required to undergo another VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence to support his claims. However, further development is needed due to unresolved issues related to exposure in Vietnam and other medical conditions.