Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40% since the beginning of the appeal period, and he received separate ratings for loss of use of both feet and special monthly compensation due to his service-connected disabilities. The rating for radiculopathy affecting the left and right lower extremities was granted no more than 40%, effective August 2, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU is granted as of November 19, 2015.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically linked to his in-service noise exposure. The hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's low back, left hip, and right hip conditions are not found to be related to service or the service-connected left knee condition.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not found to be related to service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability.,The Veteran has been determined to need regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are presumed to have been incurred in service due to continuous symptoms since separation.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for the issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's representative raised a secondary service connection theory of entitlement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding of a direct causal relationship.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss improved under ordinary conditions of life, warranting a reduction from 40% to 20%. The VA found that the July 2018 examination represented improvement in his hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiology examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or treatment related to these conditions, and he was scheduled but did not attend a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending and remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent, the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that his hearing impairment did not warrant a higher rating based on the audiometric test results.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically exposure to jet engine noises.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and gastritis. However, the reopened claims were denied on the merits as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions or a causal link to service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of current disability or in-service injury, and the claim was received after March 24, 2015.