Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a right ear hearing loss disability, finding no current disabilities or causal relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left eye condition, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral SNHL, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The low back disability claim is remanded as it depends on the outcome of the left ankle disability claim, which also needs a new VA examination. Right ear hearing loss requires a new VA examination to assess its relation to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim also needs a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of craniotomy, including headaches, tinnitus, loss of left field of vision, loss of memory, right ear hearing loss and vertigo. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service craniotomy to remove a cyst that was aggravated by a preexisting condition.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing loss to his military service or exposure to noise during ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or related to his military service, including noise exposure. The Board found the evidence against a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, and he is awarded a 10% rating for his hypertension. The claims of secondary service connection for urinary frequency, headaches, sleep condition, and skin condition to hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and the weight of evidence does not support a finding that it is related to in-service acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's left shoulder labral tear is denied as there is no credible medical evidence or opinions linking the condition to active service. The examiner opined that the injury was more likely than not a recent injury, not caused many years prior by active service.,The Veteran's right shoulder labral tear is denied for similar reasons: lack of in-service injury and insufficient medical evidence connecting it to active service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent as the highest schedular rating available. The Board found that referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted due to no marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.,The Veteran's gastro-intestinal undiagnosed illness is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Board found that referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted due to no marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not show levels of hearing impairment in each ear that approximated the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, but the case is remanded for additional development regarding left ear hearing loss and corroborating service in Korea.