Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in at least relative equipoise as to whether these conditions began in service and have continued since. The Veteran's consistent reports of continuity of symptomatology are considered.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service connected.,Service connection is also granted for left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, right elbow, bilateral wrist, left hip, and right hip disabilities. However, the Board has not provided a VA examination to determine whether these conditions are related to in-service motorcycle accident injuries.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new medical evidence submitted after the final denial. However, these claims are still pending as they have not been remanded for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for the Veteran's back condition.

The Veteran's bilateral high frequency hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran’s diabetic nephropathy does not meet the criteria for a higher than 60 percent rating based on persistent edema, albuminuria, or other specified conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded, while the claim for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD, heart condition, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to incomplete records and potential exposure to environmental chemicals during service.

The Board has determined that the VA Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Disability Benefits Questionnaire from August 2017 is inadequate, and a new opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his thoracolumbar spine condition was remanded. His need for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was also remanded due to the lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is being remanded to consider new evidence.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss will be reconsidered based on the additional VA audiological examination report submitted since the May 2016 SOC.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and bilateral hearing loss, as well as the TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus have been denied. The denial is due to the inability to schedule a VA examination due to the Veteran's incarceration.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner regarding the relationship between the conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cardiac disability, skin disability, and left leg disability due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of these conditions from VA examiners. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam is presumed.

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

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not shown to be related to service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The Board found the claim for service connection denied.