Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for a supplemental VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service, but concluded that his tinnitus is likely due to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for dizziness, which may affect the cause of death appeal. The Board has decided that both issues are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to unclear audiometric data from service, requiring a supplemental opinion.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran’s right wrist tendonitis and left wrist tendonitis have not resulted in functional limitations that warrant a higher rating than the currently assigned 10 percent ratings.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 100% from May 3, 2018. The right knee disability is granted a separate 10% rating for instability since January 7, 2013 and the Veteran is granted TDIU effective from that date. Special monthly compensation based on loss of use of hearing is granted as of May 3, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential issues with service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents. The claims will be reviewed again, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is rated as 0% disabling, which is the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions during or within one year after his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA audiological examination, and he is being asked to provide updated treatment records. He will also be scheduled for a VA audiological examination with an otolaryngologist.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a 50% evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted. Service connection for other conditions such as skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, high blood pressure, retroperitoneal fibrosis, and back problem are remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss was evaluated and found to be no higher than 30 decibels in the right ear and no higher than 35 decibels in the left ear. The speech recognition scores were at least 76% for both ears, resulting in a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of record to show that the criteria for a compensable rating were met at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to service, but more development is needed for the hearing loss claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.