Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the earliest date of receipt of the claim is October 23, 2017. The increase in disability within one year prior to this date cannot be factually ascertainable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, left and right shoulder disabilities, and thoracolumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions as the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left and right knee disabilities, and sleep apnea has been granted. The claims for left and right knee disabilities have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a total disability rating for individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, including due to in-service acoustic trauma. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service due to noise exposure. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has found that additional opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection should be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service due to normal hearing at separation and lack of evidence of noise exposure during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. The decision is based on credible evidence of continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss disability was caused by noise exposure during his active duty.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for entitlement to service connection for tinnitus during a videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss on a presumptive basis, as it was manifested within one year of separation from service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss is at least as likely as not due to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, right forearm limitation of motion, right forearm muscle injury, left thigh muscle injury, and right thigh muscle injury were denied. The Veteran's pelvic area muscle injury was granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including medical records and articles.