Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, genitourinary disability (ED and left orchitis), PTSD, and TDIU prior to October 11, 2012 due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss was found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while tinnitus is linked to the now service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service and insufficient observation to establish chronicity after discharge. The examiner opined that the current hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and psychiatric disorder due to service, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated in relation to herbicide exposure during service, while his psychiatric disorder will be examined for a possible nexus to service. The claim for aid & attendance benefits is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right ankle disabilities, as well as service connection for a prostate disorder, are REMANDED. Additionally, the Veteran is required to be scheduled for an examination to determine the current nature and etiology of his OSA.,Service connection for DM was denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and no evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the lack of a proper VA examination for hearing loss, and the Veteran's inability to receive one due to incarceration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete reasoning in a previous opinion, and an addendum opinion is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining employment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

This decision grants service connection for tinnitus and a painful left-hand stab wound dorsum scar, but denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and foot disabilities. The Veteran's right hip disability is remanded for further review under the theory of secondary service connection.,reasoning for denial of service connection for bilateral hearing loss: There is no evidence of current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service and that the Veteran did not meet the third element of service connection (nexus requirement).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and OSA have been reopened, but the claims for back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension remain denied.,Service connection has been granted for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to April 23, 2018. Effective from April 23, 2018, the Veteran is entitled to a 10% rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are necessary to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically exposure to noise while working on or near the flight line during his military service.

The veteran's spouse is not eligible for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable limit.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, nervous condition with stomach problems, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypercholesterolemia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and acute cholecystitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection is denied for hypertension, CAD, and hypercholesterolemia.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and TDIU due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for further review.

The application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, concluding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not found to be compensable prior to June 27, 2017. The RO denied the claim as his hearing loss did not meet VA's objective standards for a compensable rating.