Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left hip disability, left foot disability, and right ear hearing loss disability. Service connection was granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).,Service connection for bilateral knee disability and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss disability are remanded.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes) is dismissed. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his hearing loss and skin cancer are denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, finding that both conditions are related to his military service. Left ear hearing loss is presumed due to its manifestation within one year of separation from service. Right ear hearing loss is also found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing an addendum opinion by a VA examiner to address the Veteran's contentions regarding in-service noise exposure and symptom onset.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether his difficulty hearing has been present since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability. A new VA examination is needed to determine if a current bilateral hearing loss disability exists and, if so, whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, sinus infections and deviated septum, allergies, left ear hearing loss prior to February 2, 2015, chronic bronchitis since February 2, 2015, and the nature and etiology of his current sinus infections/deviated septum/allergies are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were denied as not incurred in or related to service. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service, and the medical opinions provided that they are unrelated to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 80 percent for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the lack of recent audiometric results.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also denied. Service connection for a bilateral foot disorder remains in dispute as the case must be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. For bilateral hearing loss, the evidence did not show a link to in-service noise exposure or demonstrate continuity of symptoms since service. For tinnitus, the Veteran reported experiencing ringing in his ears during service which has continued post-service.

The Board has remanded the case due to assertions of worsening hearing loss and need for a current VA examination.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to January 5, 2018 due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II are granted as service connected, with the latter being presumed due to herbicide exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as it is consistent with his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for CFS, fibromyalgia, GERD, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for headaches. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus are not supported by the evidence.