Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and bilateral pes planus due to lack of a valid diagnosis for PTSD and the absence of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a left ear hearing loss disability was denied. His right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical inquiry regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disorder and its relation to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the appeal period.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the spine (lumbar spine disorder) are all granted. The decision on the claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disability have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for the back disability but denied for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure in service. Service connection for emphysema and COPD is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in both the right and left ears, finding that there was no evidence of worsening or onset during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his exposure to noise during military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was reopened, and he is now granted service connection. For his left ear, a noncompensable rating remains as there is no evidence to warrant an increase.

The Veteran's low back condition is now rated at 40 percent effective September 4, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted the request to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension have been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of onset or continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral pes planus as there was no current diagnosis of flatfoot (pes planus) and the examiner could not determine if it had onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset in service. The initial noncompensable rating for right ear hearing loss and the TDIU claim are remanded.