Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his service-connected conditions and exposure to Agent Orange. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, finding no document prior to January 9, 2007 that may be construed as a formal or informal claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records, particularly those from the appellant's period of inactive duty training. The appellant contends that his hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw all claims on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Barrett’s esophagus with hiatal hernia, respiratory disability (including restricted lung capacity and chronic bronchitis), sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right nephrolithiasis, and PTSD was denied.,PTSD received an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing impairment meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's TBI was evaluated at a 40 percent rating, with an additional 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The headaches were separately rated at 50 percent effective August 16, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to significant gaps in recent medical records and the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted, and he is now entitled to a noncompensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service. The Veteran's claims were based on his exposure to noise in service.

The Veteran's initial hearing loss rating was denied, and his claims for hiatal hernia, eczema, and sinusitis were remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye condition is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such.,For the back disability, the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 20 percent.,The claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus is denied as it does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,For restrictive airway disease, the Veteran’s manifestations do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 30 percent.,The claim for an increased evaluation for hemorrhoids is denied as it does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 20 percent.,For PTSD, the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 70 percent.,The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there are no legal grounds to grant such.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral knee disabilities and hearing loss, as well as an increased rating for lumbosacral intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and degenerative disc disease (DDD). The decision was made due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder including bipolar disorder and depression (other than PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for several awards and evaluations need to be reconsidered, as well as the evaluation of craniotomy post auricular with bone loss associated with residuals of status post translabyrinthitis resection. The other issues are being remanded due to their interrelated nature.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to his active duty military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and esophageal stricture with achalasia, but has remanded the issue of service connection for ameloblastoma as secondary to achalasia.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as they did not manifest during or within one year after separation from service.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are currently being remanded for further examination.