Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or continuous symptoms since service separation. The VA examiner opined that the current disabilities were less likely related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence does not establish a nexus between current hearing loss and active service.,Service connection is remanded for further examination to determine if the Veteran's back injury is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and that his left ear hearing loss did not have its onset during service or within one year after separation from active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from his Marine Corps Reserve service and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide private chiropractic treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran during his November 2018 Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, coronary artery disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current conditions did not begin in service or manifest within one year of service separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or disease related to his current conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeal in a November 2015 statement.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C are all being reviewed to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of these claims. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder have been granted initial evaluations, but his tinnitus remains at a 10% evaluation. Effective dates for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence/aggravation.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, but his right ear hearing loss and TBI are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it at least as likely as not associated with the Veteran's hearing loss in his right ear. The claims for right knee disability and hearing loss in left ear remain denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, which are currently considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and depression due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and higher ratings was dismissed due to withdrawal. The RO granted a 20% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, PTSD prior to May 21, 2012, and TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since August 19, 2015. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current level of hearing impairment.