Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, neck disorder, left knee disorder, left leg disorder, sleep apnea, and genitourinary disorder as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back condition has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened, but remains in a pending status as it was not decided on its merits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bone spurs, and hip disability due to lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis or relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear, finding that there was no evidence to support a connection between the disability and his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent each, effective from August 25, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current hearing loss and military service.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw it.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left-ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran is granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and the reduction in the rating for bilateral high frequency hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability as defined by VA regulations.,Service connection is remanded for ischemic heart disease, erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck pain, lower back pain, right hip pain, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations scheduled in October 2013 without good cause. The Veteran is entitled to rescheduling of these examinations.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for compression fracture L1 with chronic low back pain and initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues of diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, back injury, cervical spine disorder, and residuals of head injury are all inextricably intertwined with the physical therapy claim.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of an earlier claim or entitlement, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support any earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities as likely as not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and occupational experience, starting May 31, 2016.