Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's statements regarding his combat experience and symptoms have been considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his left ear hearing loss. The effective date of service connection for PTSD remains February 25, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance from October 22, 2010. The Board found that his conditions, including low back disability and polyneuropathy, made it necessary for him to have regular assistance.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran had some level of hearing loss upon separation from service and that his hearing loss was again confirmed one year after separation. The decision is based on a presumption of service connection due to continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is not rated higher than the current noncompensable level.,Right ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as defined by VA regulations. The claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination as there is conflicting evidence about whether or not the veteran has hearing loss for VA purposes.

The claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened, but the case is remanded due to conflicting audiometric results. The claim of a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic back symptoms in service or within one year after separation from active duty, and concluded that the current low back disability is not related to service. For hearing loss and tinnitus, the Board noted that the earliest clinical diagnosis was over 40 years post-service, and the VA examiner opined against a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death prior to the issuance of an appellate decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and his in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran had a preexisting hearing loss disability at entry into service but developed it during active duty. The tinnitus is also found to be related to the hearing loss.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is determined to be caused by noise exposure during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's symptoms have been linked to in-service noise exposure, but further evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are presumed to have been incurred in service due to continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, a lung disability to include COPD and emphysema, and transient ischemic attack. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the evidence does not show that it warrants a higher rating.,Service connection for left shoulder disability and Crohn’s disease are denied because there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's rash of the right foot and anxiety disorder do not have current diagnoses or etiological links to service. Service connection for acute myeloid leukemia was also denied due to a lack of in-service diagnosis.,The Veteran has not provided sufficient credible evidence to establish that any of his claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure during service and the need for a new opinion on the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, granting service connection for both conditions.