Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left arm disability, right arm condition, bilateral hearing loss, chronic otitis media (claimed as ear condition), tinnitus, and COPD are all denied.,Service connection is not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the appropriate rating for his service-connected Meniere’s syndrome, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The current 30 percent rating will be reconsidered under the most beneficial diagnostic codes.

Service connection for COPD is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability.,Service connection for an unspecified mood disorder with a substance abuse disorder (claimed as an acquired mental disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in January 2014. The Board finds a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with a new VA examination and obtain updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as his current disabilities are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions due to his withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and dismissed the claims for chronic suppurative otitis media, major depressive disorder, and an increased rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The cases of residuals of broken nose and joint pain are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional opinion needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination results. The Veteran is required to undergo further medical evaluation to determine if he currently has a ratable disability, specifically bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus, that may be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.,Claims for service connection for a low back condition and bilateral hearing loss were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. However, the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess its severity, as the previous examinations did not produce valid results due to language barriers.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the merits of the issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and the nature of his hearing loss disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records, clarify the audiologist's findings, and arrange for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with peripheral neuropathy, secondary to herbicide exposure is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.