Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's spinal cord tumor is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded as the Veteran has not yet undergone a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and bladder injury (frequent urination) due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an effective date earlier than February 7, 2008, for PTSD have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete medical records and lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss was dismissed because the appellant withdrew their request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for hearing loss is denied as there was no pending claim or intent to raise such a claim prior to August 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to transportation issues preventing the Veteran from attending scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to appear for an examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been granted. The claim for a left foot disability is remanded.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current left knee disorder, as well as an additional VA medical opinion is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The AOJ should obtain all outstanding records and conduct these examinations.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service exposure to loud noise without protection likely caused his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with the condition that it is secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and heart disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right knee conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.,The Veteran's low back condition is not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct further examinations for the Veteran's claims of hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current examination was inadequate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of significant in-service acoustic trauma or a link between current disabilities and active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a respiratory disorder (walking pneumonia), and ulcers. The appeal is being remanded to obtain an examination for osteoarthritis.,Service connection for osteoarthritis will be considered on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tremors of the mouth and hands, as well as his increased rating claim for tinnitus, are denied. His claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is also denied.