Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and evidence. The Board found no new and material evidence for tinnitus, denied bilateral hearing loss, and remanded other issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not currently in a position to make a decision due to the appellant's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and cholesteatoma, but denied service connection for Achilles tendonitis (left foot), vertigo, and tinnitus. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of lay assertions regarding the onset of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination, lack of in-service evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus, and need for additional treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for lower back disability. The Veteran's current hearing loss is considered to be directly related to in-service noise exposure, while the current lumbar spine disability is not considered to be related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, but has remanded the issues of service connection for a left wrist condition, migraine headaches, and sleep disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient information on noise exposure during active training periods. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed again by an examiner who will consider this period of service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability due to insufficient medical evidence, including lack of consideration of his Reserve service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent since June 15, 2015. A separate rating of 10 percent for the loss of auricle is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to preclude substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, as it relates to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is less likely related to service due to significant occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his noise exposure during active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and sarcoidosis with his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the objective medical evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, right foot disability, tinnitus, PTSD, hypertension, left knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and plantar fasciitis. The appeals are currently pending due to the need for additional medical records review.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.