Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service acoustic trauma. However, it denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to active service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability does not meet the VA compensation criteria for a hearing loss disability, and therefore his claim is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during active duty, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as the evidence does not show any current disabilities related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found no current diagnosis of a left knee disability or bilateral hearing loss, and concluded that the Veteran's tinnitus was not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal due to already being rated at 100% disabled.

The Veteran's hearing loss was evaluated and found to be noncompensable, as his average pure tone thresholds did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding his right tibia fracture, bilateral hearing loss disability, and neck condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure during combat.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus were denied, while his claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety, depressed mood, and alcohol use disorder (claimed as PTSD) was remanded. The decision does not address service connection for hearing loss in the right ear.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

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

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has restored service connection for sleep apnea and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The decision on the issues of service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a back disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, but remands it for further development to determine if there is a relationship between his current tinnitus and his service-connected high frequency hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, depressive disorder, hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left leg nerve impairment are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the L5-S1 facet was granted service connection as it began during active duty. Service connection for high cholesterol, back disability (other than osteoarthritis), bilateral leg pain, arthritis of joints (bilateral legs), gout, left ear hearing loss, heart condition, hypertension, prostate disability, and depression were denied.