Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, with the worst level being Level I in both ears. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the audiometric test results and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for low back condition and left hip condition (secondary to low back condition) is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of broken hand, back injury, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining audiogram records and clarifying speech discrimination scores. The earlier effective date claim will be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he has experience in a sedentary occupation like customer service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not service-connected as they were not present during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to military noise exposure.,Hypertension was not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was related to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's current hypertension is attributed to his smoking habit, age, and lack of exercise.

The Board denied service connection and a compensable rating for hearing loss, right ear. The left shoulder disorder and right hip disorder were also denied as not incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, including consideration for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's pes planus and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded for further evaluation due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral shoulder disability, and low back disability has been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for a current disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability, as well as to verify his service in the Air National Guard. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at noncompensable (0%) and tinnitus is rated at 10%.,The residuals of a right inguinal hernia are rated at noncompensable (0%).,The scar from the right inguinal hernia surgery is rated at noncompensable (0%).,All three issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including obtaining clarification on the Maryland CNC test and obtaining audiogram results from previous appointments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran's nose/sinus condition and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, but his claims for increased ratings remain pending. The Board has also determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and remands for further examination of his bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for a new VA examination to be conducted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate audiological examination and a need for additional evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.