Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory condition including asthma, and sleep apnea for further development. The Veteran's VA treatment records from 2004 onwards need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to his request to participate in the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP). His appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a disability manifested by dizziness and balance issues will be processed through RAMP.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, left ankle, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities due to outstanding treatment records and need for new examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran experienced ringing in his ears during service, which he continues to experience today, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand several service connection claims due to inadequate notice and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic disease manifestation within one year after discharge. The examiner opined that the current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a fracture of the left hand and remanded other issues due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The remaining issues are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the claim for tinnitus due to potential aggravation by PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of continuous hearing loss since service and concluding that his current hearing loss is less likely related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle condition and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective May 30, 2014. His bilateral hearing loss remains rated at 50 percent and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of serous otitis media and hearing loss is denied. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral serous otitis media and hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, as his audiometric and speech discrimination scores do not meet the criteria for an increased rating.