Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus is inadequate, and thus remanded for a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disabilities and insufficient evidence to link these conditions to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD and DDD, left lower extremity sciatic compression neuropathy, right lower extremity sciatic compression neuropathy, left lower extremity femoral compression neuropathy, and right lower extremity femoral compression neuropathy have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent each.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected disabilities. Headaches are also found to be related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's appeals for further development, including obtaining private chiropractic records and scheduling VA examinations for his back disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar affective disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of May 1, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and medial meniscus tear, bilateral tinnitus, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to bilateral hearing loss is granted, and the March 1989 rating decision denying this claim is reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and will be reconsidered after further review.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The claims of service connection for tinnitus and skin disorder are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ear hearing loss, but has remanded all issues due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, osteoarthritis of the lower back and bilateral hips, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of sufficient medical evidence.

Service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is granted based on herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and related complications, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss have been rated as noncompensable since November 11, 2007. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.,An effective date earlier than November 11, 2007, for service connection of tinnitus and left ear hearing loss is not granted due to the one-year statute of limitations.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for right knee arthritis, service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were all denied. The lung disability claim was also denied as there is no established in-service incurrence of a lung disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right knee ACL rupture and meniscal tear due to procedural issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral vestibular disorder, and right-knee disorder as the evidence did not show a nexus to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to in-service noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.