Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety disorder), finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not show a current disability of hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of asthma, sinusitis, or allergic rhinitis related to service exposure. Service connection was granted for valvular heart disease with a staged rating from January 16, 2017. Increased ratings were denied for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examinations do not reflect the effects of his service-connected conditions, particularly those related to lung cancer and shrapnel wounds. The VA must obtain updated medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have their onset during or as a result of his active military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), respiratory disorder (bronchitis), sinus disorder (sinusitis), and skin disorder (tinea versicolor, eczema) have been denied. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinea versicolor and eczema that is linked to his service exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered a disability for VA purposes, and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure. As such, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including his reserve service. The VA examiner will need to consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran and his spouse.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin rash have been denied. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disability and functional gastrointestinal disorder.,Service connection for a low back disability and functional gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) cannot be established as there are no objective indications of qualifying chronic disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disability and right ear hearing loss disability have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence/aggravation.,Tinnitus claim has been remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability more nearly approximated a noncompensable rating corresponding to no greater than level I hearing loss for each ear, and therefore denied an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and positive threshold shift during his enlistment examination are sufficient to establish a nexus with his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to his in-service noise exposure and granting the benefit of doubt.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, and anxiety disorder as there is no current diagnosed disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence received since the August 2015 statement of the case warrants a remand for further action on the issues of service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus on a direct basis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to the Veteran's noise exposure during active service.