Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues include right ear hearing loss, traumatic brain injury residuals, psychiatric disorders, lumbosacral strain, trochanteric bursitis, left ear hearing loss, deviated nasal septum, individual unemployability, and need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation beginning December 11, 2013. His TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service due to acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims for higher ratings remain in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin condition claimed as foot problems, and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The appeals to reopen service connection for right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and irritable bowel syndrome are all being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an increased evaluation for right knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been granted. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a medically-unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, lumbar strain (claimed as back tendonitis), left ankle strain (claimed as tendonitis), bilateral hip strain (claimed as tendonitis), and left knee strain (claimed as left knee tendonitis) with degenerative joint disease of the right knee were also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a shift in hearing during service or acoustic trauma. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including new medical opinions and review of VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for adjudication purposes due to incomplete STRs. The Veteran's left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss may be related to service, but more evidence is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss is a present disability and was incurred during service, warranting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding insufficient evidence to support a causal relationship between his current conditions and his time in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.