Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and type II diabetes mellitus were not shown to have had their onset during service or be otherwise related to service.,Service connection for the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that resulted in current hearing loss. The Board found that the Veteran's assertions regarding noise exposure during service are not credible, and his claim based on presumptive service connection was also denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that resulted in current tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran's assertions regarding noise exposure during service are not credible, and his claim based on presumptive service connection was also denied.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that resulted in current diabetes. The Board found that the Veteran's claims based on Agent Orange exposure were not supported by available evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder manifests in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were reopened due to new evidence received since the prior denial in November 1990.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and UTI, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, rated at 90%, has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection was denied for hypertension as there is no evidence of sustained hypertension during or within one year after service. The Veteran's current condition is not related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's chronic prostatitis claim was granted based on a history of unresolved infections during service and continued treatment post-service.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no new and material evidence submitted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis of the feet was granted due to a finding that his condition began in service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not meet the auditory threshold criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as his reported symptoms are found to be related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for right hand condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims for low back condition and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and skin disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. The case is remanded for further development regarding his esophageal adenocarcinoma rating and housebound status.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 1, 2015 and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD are dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is granted. The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hearing loss, service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome (left upper extremity), service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome (right upper extremity), and service connection for unspecified disability to account for joint pain of all joints are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for right ear hearing loss, fatigue, and an acquired psychiatric disability (not including PTSD) was granted. Service connection is now established for these conditions.,Further examination and review are required for the remaining issues: joint pain, muscle pain, left hand disability, right hand disability, headache disability, and fatigue.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are attributable to active service.,For the hip injury claim, increased ratings for right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, and increased rating for tension headaches, a new examination is required.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of audiometric evaluation at separation from service, and because the VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise during active duty service is related to his current conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The issue of entitlement to service connection for arthritis is remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate audiometric test results from previous examinations. The Veteran will be given another VA examination to determine if he has a ratable hearing loss disability, and if so, whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and liver disorder to include hepatitis B due to incomplete medical evidence. The appeals are now pending again with the VA.