Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for PTSD was denied as the Veteran did not meet criteria for diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has reopened several previously denied claims but has not granted service connection for any of the conditions. The decision is mixed, with some issues being remanded and others having new evidence received that does not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, nonservice-connected pension benefits, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded because new examinations are needed, financial information is required, and records from the period of appeal need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, but an effective date earlier than November 19, 2009, for the award of a 50 percent rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since May 18, 2011. The July 2013 VA examination showed Level I hearing loss in both ears, which corresponds to a zero percent (noncompensable) rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases to allow for further development and consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen claims for right ear hearing loss, but did receive new and material evidence to reopen claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are granted on a partial basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between hearing loss and service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 40 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, neck disorder, back disorder, and foot disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his in-service noise exposure. A new medical examination is needed to consider the Veteran's statements about noticing hearing loss upon returning from Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability were denied. The rating for bilateral hearing loss was found to be in accordance with the schedular criteria, while the rating for left knee disability was based on the effective date error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current disability. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine and upper extremity nerve disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service connection claims for a back injury, bilateral hearing loss, and left ear tinnitus need further development due to incomplete records and lack of an examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as they are not yet in a position to make a final determination on service connection.