Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, OSA caused by PTSD, and migraine headaches all linked to her service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show the Veteran had hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss claims are not granted due to lack of service connection. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a continuity of symptoms since service, which supported his claim for bilateral hearing loss. For tinnitus, the Veteran's lay statements were considered more credible than an examiner's opinion regarding when he first experienced the onset of tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease. As such, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and schizophrenia. The claim for increased rating of diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disabilities related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that the conditions are related to noise exposure during military service.

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

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion considering relevant information.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was evaluated as 0 percent disabling throughout the appeal period, which is below the threshold for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and perforated ear drum was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss disabilities and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease, was granted service connection.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of unilateral left ear hearing loss that preexisted his active service and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's left and right ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of current hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a disability for VA purposes.,Allergies, claimed as hay fever, service connection was remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,Service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disabilities were all remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions.,Service connection for a heart disability (irregular heartbeat), hypertension, and allergies were also remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,An initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied and the Veteran's appeal must be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, right ear hearing loss, left foot condition, and right foot condition are denied. The claim of service connection for a left knee condition is granted with new and material evidence received since the final May 1994 rating decision. The claim of service connection for a right knee condition is also granted due to new and material evidence received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claims for tinnitus, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and Anxiety Disorder) are remanded for further development.