Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the available medical evidence. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been raised by the record and requires additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and her service-connected perforated eardrum at discharge.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with no worse than level I hearing impairment. The Board found that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are being returned to obtain VA medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation by active service and assigning no rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to his February 14, 2017 claim.,Coronary artery disease was granted service connection effective February 14, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear as there is no competent evidence linking it to in-service hazardous noise exposure, and the Veteran did not show a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year of separation or demonstrate chronicity and continuity of symptomatology post-separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim. The Board also determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's incarceration and inability to obtain an examination. The case will be returned for further action, including scheduling a VA audiological examination.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as it did not have its onset during active service or within one year of discharge.,The Veteran's weight fluctuation, gastrointestinal disability (other than constipation), erectile dysfunction, urinary frequency, diabetes mellitus, and tooth loss are all denied as they were not related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or lumbar spine osteoarthritis.,Bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as it is proximately due to service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, GERD, bilateral hearing loss disability, jaw (TMJ) disability, left shoulder disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, raticulopathy of the left upper extremity, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disability, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of rubella, bilateral hearing loss, anxiety and depression (psychiatric conditions), and vision conditions. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and address the psychiatric condition claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are intertwined, requiring additional medical inquiry.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus (due to herbicide exposure), and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are all granted. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for shoulder, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities must be remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a compensable initial rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical examination, requiring a new one from an appropriate clinician.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.