Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further evaluation by an otolaryngologist (ENT) due to uncertainty about their relationship to service.

The Veteran's request to reopen service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for dizzy spells. These issues are being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss was granted, and the claim is now considered substantiated.,An initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss prior to November 16, 2017 remains pending and needs further action by the AOJ.

The VA reduced the Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss from 20% to noncompensable effective April 1, 2012. The reduction was proper as there had been an improvement in his hearing.

The Board denied service connection for gout as it was not caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's left kidney nephrectomy and renal cell carcinoma. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional evidence being required. Specifically, it is unclear if his current disabilities are related to his service-connected otitis media.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at a 40 percent rating, effective April 28, 2017. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and noting that his hearing was normal at separation from service. The Board also considered post-service occupational noise exposure but concluded it did not result in the current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion due to inadequate previous VA examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,Prostate cancer was not caused by any aspect of service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for residuals of head trauma (headaches) is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for shortness of breath is denied as there is no evidence of any impairment due to this symptom.