Hearing loss decisions — 2019

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

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's knee conditions and tinnitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hearing loss disability is related to his active service and remands for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 21, 2017. The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

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 related to service. The Veteran's current disabilities were established by VA audiometric testing showing threshold shifts during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of an adequate VA examination, as well as the need for additional medical records. The Veteran was exposed to loud noise in Vietnam during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss due to service, as there is conflicting evidence regarding his hearing status at enlistment and separation. The issue of whether his tinnitus caused or aggravated his current hearing loss will also be addressed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable (0 percent) due to the severity of his condition, which is manifested by no more than Level II hearing acuity in the right ear and Level I hearing acuity in the left ear. The Board denied a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the decision based on direct evidence of a link to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition and its impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is being remanded to allow for this process.

The Board has determined that the VA opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is inadequate. The claim for service connection for these conditions is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and left leg disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection has been granted for all three conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left foot disability, including arthritis with bunions and hammer toes, is granted as service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not filed prior to January 27, 2014. Therefore, the effective dates for these conditions are denied.

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